GIFT  OF 

SEELEY  W.  MUDD 

and 

GEORGE  I.  COCHRAN     MEYER  ELSASSER 

DR.  JOHN  R.  HAYNES    WILLIAM  L.  HONNOLD 

JAMES  R.  MARTIN         MRS.  JOSEPH  F.  SARTORI 

to  the 

UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA 

SOUTHERN  BRANCH 


UNIVERSITY  of  CALIFORNLf 

AT 

LOS  ANGELES 

LIBRARY 


S49T 


OALVIN  BIjANOHARD 


i3asia: 

THE       KISSES 


rNES   SECU> 


NDUS 


JEA^"   BONNE  FOX  S: 

WITH 

%  ScUction 

»BOH  THB 

BEST  ANCIENT  AND  MODERN  ArXHORS. 


X  E  W   T  0  E  K  : 
PXTBLISHED  BY  CALVIN  BL.VN CHARD, 

82  Nassau  Street. 
1860. 


93475 


H^ 


fl^IH. 


€  t:;^  ■; 

5^46  1  H 

C  0  X  r  E  N  T  s 

— 

<1 

fi.BS 

Preface 

.    vii 

Memoir  of  Sec undus         .        .  .     xi 

Jlemoir  of  Bonnefons       .        .  .    xv 
Kisses  of  Secundus            ...      1 

Notes  on  the  Kisses  of  Secu'idus  .     58 

Kisses  of  Bonnefons  .        .        .  .69 

Notes  on  the  Kisses  of  Bonnefons  .  123 

Kisses  by  various  Autiiors        .  .  li& 


PREFACE. 


After  the  very  enthusiastic  eulo-. 
giums  bestowed  upon  the  Kisses  of 
Secundus  and  Bonnefons,  we  need  net 
be  diffident  in  expressing  ourselves 
in  favor  of  their  peculiar  graceful- 
ness, nor  hesitate  to  pronounce  them 
as  highly-polished  performances. 
Our  Authors'  Poems  are  all  beauty, 


VlU  PREFACE, 

all  enchantment.    The  writers  lead  us 

so  insensibly  along  with  them,  that 

we  sympathise  even  in  their  excesses ; 

yet  in  these  beautiful  Odes  there  is  a 

delicacy  of  sentiment  not  to  be  found. 

in  any  other  poet     In  their  poetry, 

Secundus  and  Bonnefons  are  sportive 

•svithout  beiiig  wanton,   and  ardent 

•n-ithout  being  licentious: 

"  They  are  infants  of  the   Mufcs,  and 
lisp  in  numbers:" 

Their  descriptions  are  warm;  but  tiie 
warmth  is  in  the  idcaa,  not  in  the 
tvordd. 


7  i  EFACE,  i.-i 

Simplicity,  fiowever,  is  the  distin- 
guishing charcvcteristic  of  the  whole 
of  the  Pieces  selected  for  this  unique 
volume: — they  interest  by  their  in- 
nocence, while  they  fascinate  by  their 
transcendent  beauty. 

To  infer  the  moral  disposition  of 
a  Poet  from  the  tone  of  sentiment 
which  pervades  his  works,  is  fre- 
quently a  very  fallacious  analcgy; 
but  the  souls  of  our  Poets  speak  so 
unequivocally  through  their  poetry, 
that  we  may  consult  them  as  tlie 
faithful  mirrors  of  their  hearts. 


a  PREFACE. 

A  few  Notes  have  been  appended 
with  the  view  of  saving  farther 
reference. 

There  is  very  little  known  with 
certainty  of  the  lives  of  our  Poets ; 
but  some  trifling  information  has 
been  collected  by  their  editors,  which 
they  found,  from  time  to  time,  scat- 
tered through  the  writings  of  ihcir 
contemporaries. 


MEMOIR 


JOAXXES    SECUNDUS. 


NicoLAics  EvERARDUs,  the  father  of 
Joannas  Secundus,  was  an  excellent  legal 
scholar;  and  his  learning  and  abilities 
attracted  the  attention  of  the  Emperor 
Charles  V.  who  raised  him  to  the  dignity 
of  President  of  the  States  of  Holland 
and  Zealand.  He  was  subsequently  ad- 
vanced to  the  chair  of  the  Council  oi 
Mechlin,  which  he  held  till  hia  deatfc 
in  1532. 


Sii  MEMOIROF 

Tlie  subject  of  this  Memoir  was  bom 
at  the  Hague,  on  the  2Sth  of  Decem- 
ber, 1511,  and  baptized  by  the  name  of 
Joannes  Secundus,  from  his  being  the 
second  child  of  that  name.  He  received 
the  rudiments  of  his  education  under  his 
paternal  roof;  but  he  was  afterwards 
sent  to  Bruges,  and  placed  under  the 
care  of  a  man  of  extensive  erudition, 
and  with  whom  he  remained  until  death 
deprived  him  of  that  able  man's  instruc- 
tions. 

The  talents  of  Secundus  exhibited 
themselves  at  a  very  early  period,  for 
he  wrote  poetry  in  tl-.e  tenth  year  of  his 
age.  Painting  and  sculpture  frequently 
occupied  his  leisure  liours ;  and  in  both 
of  these  arts  he  excelled. 

When  our  poet  had  nttained  his  tw<?n- 
tieth  year,   his  fati.cr   oecame   aiiAious 


SEOCND  us.  xiii 

i.iat  he  should  be  called  to  the  bar:  and, 
for  that  purpose,  he  was  placed  under 
the  care  of  a  gentleman  of  high  repute 
for  legal  knowledge,  who  resided  in 
France. 

In  1533,  Secunduswent  to  Spain,  Avhere, 
by  the  influence  of  his  friends,  he  became 
secretary  to  the  Arclibishop  of  Toledo. 
Soon  after  his  arrival  in  that  country, 
he  became  acquainted  with  Venerilla; 
hut  she  had  no  charms  for  him,  and  he 
left  her  for  the  fascinating  and  accom- 
plished Neaera.*  To  the  acquaintance 
witli  this  lady  we  are  indebted  for  "  The 
Kisses,"  a  work  which  has  so  enhanced 
his  fame  as  a  poet.  In  a  few  months, 
iiowever,  the  poet  discovered  the  real 
character  of  the  woman  who  had  so 
captivated    him;    and   as    he   began   to 


»v  11  E  M  O  i  R  ,  && 

suffer  from  the  effects  of  the  climate,  he 
evinced  an  anxiety  to  return  to  his  na- 
tive country. 

Secundus  soon  found  the  most  bene- 
ficial effects  from  the  change  of  situation, 
and  he  so  far  recovered  his  health  as  to 
accept  employment  from  the  bishop  of 
Utrecht,  and  then  the  appointment  of 
first  prothonotary  to  the  Emperor  Charles 
the  Fifth,  at  that  time  in  Italy.  But 
death  terminated  his  career  at  St.  Amand, 
in  Tournay,  where  he  fell  a  victim  to  an 
iuflammatDry  fever  which  carried  him 
off  in  four  days,  on  the  18th  of  October, 
15o3,  in  the  twenty-fifth  year  of  his  age. 
Ke  was  interred  in  the  monastic  church- 
yard of  St.  Amand,  where  a  marble 
monument,  with  a  Latin  inscription,  was 
erected  bv  his  relations. 


MEMOIR 


JEAN     BONNEFONS. 


Although  the  Basia  of  Bonnefons  will 
not  bear  the  test  of  comparison  with  those 
of  Secundus,  yet  they  have  been  much 
admired  for  their  natural  and  graceful 
ease,  and  for  their  warm  and  passionate 
language. 

We  are  unable  to  trace  any  particulars 
of  the  family  of  our  author.  From  a  few 
brief  notices,  however,  ■wiiich  have  been 
collected,  it  appears  that  Bonnefons  was 
bom  at  Clermont  in    France,   in    1554, 


xvt  M  !:  M  0  I  R  .  &o. 

educated  for  the  bar,  and  was  a-  o  of  a 
convivial  and  social  disposition. 

The  appearance  of  the  Kisses  *  of 
Bonnefous  in  1587,  attracted  the  atten- 
tion of  the  literary  world,  ar:d  many 
hyperbolical  compliments  were  paid  to 
the  genius  of  the  author.  On  the  mar- 
riage, however,  of  Bonnefons,  he  relin- 
quished poetry,  and  devoted  himself  to 
domestic  affairs. 

It  is  conjectured  that  our  poet  died  in 
1614,  in  the  sixty-first  year  of  his  age. 

The  Poems  of  Bonnefons  have  been 
repeatedly  printed;  and  the  author  re- 
vised an  edition  of  his  works  a  short  time 
previously  to  his  death. 

The  Kissss  ov  Bonnefons  were  prodaced  nniter  th« 
K  of  PAXCBARts,  »  name  *i.i<.h  the  writer  'elected 
40f  the  i\\z  ubject  to  whora  bis  poems  were  iddreijcd. 


^f)£  IXisscs 


JOHANNES    S  E  C  n  N  D  U  8. 


rtiM  AfTTBom 

ON    HIS    BOOK    OF    KISSES. 

(Epigram,  hit.  Lib,  I.) 


Too  chaste  arc  my  strains 

Lyciiiiia  complains, 
Auu  despises  and  laiighs  at  my  kisses  outright, 

While,  wUh  her  in  league. 

That  soul  of  intrifjuc, 
>Elia,  cries  that  the  poet  is  passionless  quite. 

But  the  wantons,  forsooth. 

Only  drive  at  the  trutli. 
And  are  dyin;;  to  know  what  his  hardship  can  do : 

'So,  no,  ye  may  long, 

Neither  he,  nor  his  son,^, 
Nor  the  kisses  he  breathes  are  intended  for  vou. 

The  fresh  blooming  bride. 

While  she  lies  by  his  side. 
Shall  read  her  young  husband  a  lesson  from  me; 

And  the  bride,  in  return. 

From  her  husband  shall  learn 
How  their  joys  may  be  \'aricd  iu  everj-  degree. 


b3 


THE    KISSES 


JOHAXNES    SECUNDUS. 


THE   OEIGIZS-    OF   THE   KISS. 

When  in  her  lap  the  parent  qneen  of  love 
Had  borne  Ascniiius  to  Oythera's  sfi-ove. 
On  a  sweet  couch  of  tender  violets  made, 
Hush'd  in  repose,  her  precious  charge  she  laid. 
Then  all  around  bade  milk-white  roses  bloom. 
And  every  air  impregn'd  with  sweet  perfume. 

Adonis'  image  to  her  rnind  return 'd; 
Once  more  her  scui  with  tender  passion  tiam-oi 
And  oft  she  cried,  in  ecstasy  of  joy. 
Such  was  Adonis '.  such  the  lovely  boy  1 


6  KISSES  OF  SECUNDC3. 

Oft,  as  in  rapture  o'er  the  youth  she  hung, 
\j^T  eajfcr  arms  around  liis  neck  had  fiung-, 
But  fear'd  to  break  the  artless  sleeper's  rest. 
And  the  fond  ardour  of  her  soul  repress'd  ; 
And  on  cadi  rose  that  blossom'd  round  his  head 
A  thousand,  thousand  burninj;  kisses  shed. 
Beneath  her  lips  the  conscious  flow'rets  blush'd, 
Oct  every  bud  a  warmer  colour  rnsli'd  ; 
While  slj;!is,  :m  ireiitiy  niurmur'd  sounds,  confess'd 
Eiich  tender  wisii  that  strujjijled  in  lier  breast. 
Where  touch  Iter  lips  tlie  bursting  buds  disclose 
A  glowins;  kiss  in  every  blustiini;  rose, 
And  in  each  fresh-blown  flow'ret  multiply 
The  thrilling  transports  of  Uione"s  joy. 

But  when  again  her  native  realm  she  sought. 
Drawn  by  her  cygnets  o'er  the  azure  vault, 
As  through  the  void  her  chariot  roli'd  along, 
Tlirice  mutl'ring,  as  she  went,  the  magic  song. 
Like  Cclcus'  son  of  old,  her  lavish  liand 
Shed  kisses  round,  a-iid  fertiliz'd  the  land: 
Thence  for  mankind  the  teeming  harvest  rose. 
And  hence  the  balm  that  mitigates  my  woes. 

All  hail!  ye  kisses  of  ambrosial  birth. 
Whom  rapture's  tlirilling  hourproduc'd  on  earth! 
Sweet  joys,  that  sooth  the  pangs  of  fierce  desire, 
for  you  the  bard  shall  wake  the  sounding  lyre; 


KISSES  OF  SLCCNDUS.  7 

And  while  the  muses'  hiil  shall  last,  your  praise 

Shall  live  immortal  in  the  pocfs  lays: 

And  Love!  who  boasts  himself,  with  conscious 

pride. 
To  that  dear  race  from  which  j-e  spring  allied. 
In  Iloinau  strains  your  raptures  shall  rehearse 
lu  all  the  liquid  melody  of  verse. 


KISS    II. 

As  roand  its  neii;hhouring  elm  entwine 
The  amorous  tendrils  of  the  wanton  vine; 

As  round  the  oak  the  i^y  flings. 
And  winds  its  creeping  sprays,  and  closely  clings  j 

So  let  tliy  arms,  Nea-ra,  thrown 
Around  my  neck,  such  fervent  pressure  own; 

And  1  as  closelv  will  entwine 
My  arms,  and  clasp  that  sjjowy  neck  of  thine; 

And  fix,  ill  ecstasy  of  bliss. 
On  thv  fair  lips — one  long — one  never-ending  k'S*. 

ThoUijh  Ceres  pour  her  countless  treasure* 
Though  rosy  Bacchus  call  to  fest:vc  picasiiret 

Thougli  care-deceiving  sleep  invite; 
For  them  i  will  not  quit  the  dear  delight; 


S  KISSES  C7  SECVWDUS. 

Nor  sfcall  they  tempt  me  to  foreprn  ^ 

jThe  transports  that  thy  ruby  iipR  bestow: 

But,  f;iiiit!ii}r  M-ith  the  rapturous  jov. 
Our  mingling  spirits  shall  united  fly; 

And,  wafted  o'er  the  Stygian  flood. 
In  the  same  bark  seek  Pluto's  p-ile  abode: 

Tlience  reach  those  fields  where  sweet  pef- 
fumes 
Scent  every  ijale,  and  spring  for  ever  bloom?. 

And  heroines  of  old  renown 'd, 
And  heroes  with  victorious  laurels  crown'd. 

In  shaily  vales,  and  myrtle  bowers. 
With  harmless  sports  beguile  the  fleeting  honri; 

Or  weave  th'  alternate  song,  or  glance 
Down  the  gay  measures  of  the  mazy  dance. 

There,  through  the  laurel's  tremuluus  shade. 
Sighs  the  warm  breeze  along  tlie  flowery  glade ; 

Beneath  the  purple  violet  glows. 
The  pale  narcissus,  aid  the  blushing  rose: 

Spontaneous  there,  the  womb  of  earth, 
UntouchM  by  shares,  gives  teeming  harvests  birth< 

At  our  approach  the  happy  shades 
Shall  rise,  and  welcome  to  those  flovery  gladeg ; 

And  me,  Avith  one  accord,  they'll  place 
By  Homer's  side  among  the  tuneful  race: 

To  thee,  the  fairest  of  the  fair, 
Kvmchs  lov'd  by  Jove  shall  yield  the  pref'rence 
ttiere; 


KISSES  OF  SECUNDUS. 


Nor  Helen,  thoiiifh  of  race  divine. 
Disdain  to  own  inferior  cliarms  to  thine. 


Give  mc,  sweet  maid,  one  little  kiss. 
One  little  kiss,  I  said,  and  sig^h'd; 

Scarce  had  I  felt  the  thrilling  bliss. 
Scarce  were  your  glowiujj    lips  to  mine  » 
plied. 

When  from  my  lips  your  lips  you  take 
111  sudden  liaste,  and  l)urst  away; 

So,  when  he  feels  the  coiling  snake, 
The  heedless  rustic  startles  in  dismay. 

Not  this  to  give  the  balmy  kiss  : 
Ah '.  no,  my  love,  but  in  the  mind 
To  raise  the  fond  idea  of  bliss. 
Then  leave  the  itiug  of  fierce  desire  belimd. 


KISSES  OF  SECL'NDUS. 


Tis  not  a  kiss  those  ruby  lips  bestow, 

But  richest  iicclar  M:d  ambrosial  ilews; 
Such  as  from  (raijniiit  iiard.  or  ciissia  How, 

Or  blest  Arabia's  spicy  shrubs  diffuse: 
Or  sweets  that  from  Hyincttus'  thymy  brow. 

Or  roses  lliat  Cecropian  bowers  produce. 
Unwearied  hoiioy-becs  sclei:tin^  bear 
To  cells  of  virfjin  wax,  and  temper  there. 

But  if  thv  v<'-iucil  lips,  in  ev'ry  kiss. 
Thus  i;ive  to  banquet  on  celestial  fare, 

And  thrill  my  soul  with  ecstasy  of  bliss. 
Soon  shall  this  frame  imbibe  celestial  powers, 
fiu>i  I  shall  revel  in  Olympian  bowers. 
'J'hen  spare  the  precious  boon,  Xea;ra,  spare. 
Or  with  me  those  iinmortal  honours  share! 
For  ev'n  should  Jove,  by  rebel  uodhcuds  driven, 
to  me  resijfii  the  majesty  i-f  heaven: 
That  heaven  uiiiiout  Itiy  presence  were  unblest^ 
And  all  its  nectar  u  feasts  wuhuut  a  zest'. 


KISSES  OP  SKCUNDUS, 


While  circled  by  those  fond,  endearing  arms 

J"liut  here  and  there  in  amorous  fervour  twine, 
Nesera,  you,  with  soui-eutrancing  charms. 
Or  on  my  neck,  or  shoulders  soft  recline. 
And,  fondly  hanging  o'er,  unfold  to  sight 
That  beauteous  neck,  and  bosom  snowy  white  ; 

And  to  my  lips  your  glowing  lips  you  join. 
And  on  iny  cheek  the  thrilling  joy  indite, 
Then,  gently  murmurinir,  ciiide  your  ardent  swain, 
If  the  fond  jest  he  pay  you  back  agaiu. 

Wliile  to  my  lips,  in  tremulous  ecstasy, 

Your  lips,  dear  maid,  tlie  thrilling  kiss  impart; 
And,  breathing  forth  the  sweetly  murmur'd  sigh. 

Pour  your  warm   spirit   through   my  raptur'd 
heart — 
That  sigli  to  me  with  genial  life  replete. 
So  softly  musical,  so  balmy  sweet: 

While  you,  Xeiera,  snatch  my  breath  awav 
That,  glowing  with  my  bosom's  inward  heat, 

Fleets  on  my  lips,  and  'most  forget*  to  play ; 


12  KISSES  OF  SECUNDUS, 

And,  oh  I  sweet  soother  of  my  passion's  rage! 

Once  more,  with  tlmt  re-animating-  breath, 

Recall  niy  spirit  from  the  gates  of  death. 
And  the  fierce  ardour  of  my  soul  assuage: 
Inipassion'd  with  thr  bliss — "  With  Love,"  I  cry, 
"O'er  every  power  supreme  in  sovereignty — 

With  Love,  nor  god  nor  nior'al  can  compare; 
But,  oh  !  witli  liim  if  fiiiy  p"wer  can  via, 

'Tis  you,  Neicra,  you,  ray  charmi:>g  fair!" 


To  crown  our  raptures  'twas  agreed,  dear  maid, 
A  sweet  two  tliousand  should  the  numlior  be; 

And  on  thy  ijlowing  lips  a  thousand  paiil, 
A  thousand  Uisscs  1  received  from  thee: 

Complete,  I  own,  the  numbor'd  raptures  prove. 

But  wiieu  did  nuni'bers  e'er  suffice  with  love? 

Wlien  the  ripe  autumn  yellows  all  the  plain. 
Or  spring  with  verdure  clothes  the  blooming 
field. 

For  numbcr'd  harvests  asks  the  anxious  swain. 
Or  counts  the  blades  the  grassy  meadows  yield ; 


KTSSES  OF  SKCUNDUS.  1? 

!)r  imporluncs  v.-iti'  rirsyer  the  ETOd  of  wine, 
IVith  iiuiiH>ei-(l  cliibttri  to  euri'jli  tlie  vine  ? 

Who  from  tiie  guartiian  of  the  hive  demands 
A  tliuusand  hottey-bccs,  yet  asks  no  more? 

Or  when  the  'I'bunderer  bids  liis  lavish  hands 
On  the  parch'd  eartii  refreshings  waters  pour, 

amve  we  to  count  eaci  drop  of  falling  rain 

As  the  swift  torrents  moisten  all  the  plain? 

M'hen  Jove  in  terror  clotlies  his  an^rj*  arm. 

And  hail  descends,  and  wasting  w  hirlwinds  fly. 

While  earth  and  ocean,  shook  with  jiale  alarm. 
Feel  all  the  looscn'd  venifcance  of  the  sky, 

Unniov'd  he  views  tlie  mischiefs  they  perform, 

Kor  measures  out  the  horrors  of  the  storm. 

Or  s;on(i  or  ill  alike  descend  from  heaven. 
Extremes  in  holh  befit  tlie  race  of  Jove : 

O  tlion  I  to  whom  ctdcstial  charms  arc  jfiven. 
Ah  I  why  thus  sparing  of  thy  liounty  prove? 

O  goddess!  than  that  goddess  lovelier  far 

Who  roams  blue  ocean  in  her  pearly  car — 

VAHiy  count  thy  kisses,  and  not  connt  my  sighs? 

Wliy  count  each  kiss,  nor  count  niy  every  tear— 
Tliose  tears,  that  ever  streaming  from  my  eyes. ' 

Adowc  my  cheeks  and  breast  a  chanaet  ypuxf 


14  KISSES  OF  SFCUNDl'S. 

Or  rease  to  count  thy  kisses,  or  tcunt  all 

Vbe  signs  that  heave — the  tears  that  strcamiu^  talL 

Yes,  count  my  tears.    Yet  if  tl.ou  cease  to  count, 
O  cruel  maid '.  each  kiss  thy  lips  bestow. 

Then  of  my  sorrows  heed  not  the  amount ; 
But,  oh  I  if  such  can  mitigate  my  woe, 

Let  the  unnumber'd  tears  these  eyes  have  shed, 

By  thy  unuiunber'd  kisses  be  repaid. 


A  HUNDRED  sweet  kisses,  by  hundreds  told  o'er, 

I'll  give  those  red  lips,  my  dear  charmer,  of  thii.o. 
And  thousands  by  thousands  as  lavishly  pour 

On  those  checks,  and  those  eyes  that  bewitch- 
ingly  shine ; 
"nil  the  sums  of  my  raptures  as  numberless  qrow 

As  the  drops  that  in  ocean  incessantly  roll ; 
Or  countless  as  those  little  orbits  that  glow 

In  the  mantle  of  night  when  it  covers  the  pole. 


KISSES  OF  SECL'NDUS.  Ifi 

But,  oh  I  when  entranc'd  on  thy  bosom  I  lie. 

And  iny  lips  to  thy  lips  with  fond  ardour  adhere  ; 
When  I  kiss  thy  fair  cliccks  or  thy  tale-telling-  eye. 

The  charms  that  I  gaz'd  on  at  once  disappear. 
The  sweet,  pouting  lips  that  inspir'd  with  deiii^ht ; 

The  beam  of  those  eyes  that  bewitch'd  me,  the 
wliile ; 
The  rose  on  thy  cheeks  are  ak  snatch'd  from  my 
siglit, 

And  the  dimple  that  laughs  in  thy  delicate  smile. 

That  delicate  smile  that,  with  solacing  beam. 

Dispels  from  my  soul  all  the  darkness  of  woe. 
And  enlivening  my  bosom  with  hope's  cheering 
gleam. 
Bids  the  sigh  cease  to  heave,  and  the  tear-drop 
to  flow. 
So  Sol,  when  he  rises,  dispels  from  the  sky 

The  mists  that  would  jjatlicr,  and  darken  iiis  way. 
And  borne  on  his  gem-studded  chariot  on  high. 
From  the  cloudless  serene  pours  the  splendot 
of  day. 

Ah  me  I  thus,  by  jealous  emotion  possess'd, 
Wliat  rivalry  glows  'twixt  my  lips  and  my  eyes 

Kacn  fondly  admires  thee,  and  longs  to  be  blest. 
And  envies  the  pleasure  the  other  enjoys. 


'6  KISSES  OF  SECUNDUS. 

Then,  oli '.  if  nith  jealousy  eves  dlsa^ee, 
Nor  iw  lips  Vicar  a  rival  in  rapture,  my  love, 

Can  I  bear  that  another  should  emulate  nie. 
And  share  in  thy  smiles,  tfaoagh  that  rival  be 
Jove? 


KISa    Vill. 


What  heedlessirrongconld  urge  thee  thus  to  tear 
With  furious  teeth  n:v  toi:giie,  caprii;ious  fair? 
Is't  not  cuou^^h  that,  sheath 'd  in  every  part, 
I  feel  thine  arrows  rankling  in  ray  heart. 
But  that  thy  teeth  in  wautunitess  must  wound 
That  tonjjHC  on  which  thy  praises  ever  ^ound  ? — 
That  toiii^ue,  that  from  the  morn  till  panic},'  liffht. 
Through  the  long  day,  and  sad  and  liiig^eringuight, 
ExtoU'ii  thy  beainitig  eyes,  thy  flowing  hair. 
Thy  beauteous  ucck,  and  bosom  snowy  fair; 
And  rais'd  tfav  fame,  in  tender  strains,  above 
Those  nytuiitis  who  fir'd  the  soul  of  amorous  Jovew 
Tiu  111  cuouL  realms  where  reliing  planets  biazs, 
Ev'n  gods  viith  envy  heard  the  lavish  prai<e.— 


KISSES  OF  SECUNDUS.  IT 

rhat  tontruc,  ttat  faithful  tongue,  that  gave  thy 

nam  e 
Each  lond  endearing  term  that  tenderness  could 

frame; 
Caird  thee  my  life,  my  soul's  far  dearer  part. 
My  fond  delight,  the  idol  of  mr  heart; 
My  blooriiing  Venus,  and  my  gentle  love. 
My  beauteous  turtle,  and  my  little  dove ; 
Till  e'en  the  queen  of  charms  with  envy  heard 
Each  tender  epithet,  each  endearing  word. 

And  does  it  then  delight  thee  thus  to  tear 
V\';th  wanton  wounds  my  tongue,  imperious  fair; 
Because,  unmov'd  by  each  capricious  wrong, 
Tliy  charms  still  form  the  burden  of  its  song; 
Because  thy  lips,  and  beaming  eyes  it  sings. 
And  e'en  those  teeth  from  which  its  angulsb 

springs ; 
Because,  despite  of  all  thy  cruelty. 
E'en  while  it  bleeds,  it  bleeds,  and  lisps  of  thee? 

O  beauty,  beauty!  such  thy  powerful  sway. 
At  OKce  we  feel  thee,  and  at  once  obey ! 


RtSSRS  OF  SECUNDUS. 


KISS    IX. 

Oh  !  cease  the  balmy  kiss,  and  cease  awhile 
The  murinur'd  rapture,  the  endearing  smile; 
Nor  always  thus  your  arms  aroutnl  mc  twine, 
And  faint,  snd  breathless  on  my  neck  recline: 
E'en  pleasure  has  its  bounris  ;  the  rapturous  joff 
Repeated  oft,  will  lose  its  zest,  ind  cloy. 
When  thrice  three  kisses  from  thy  lips  I  SUC;^ 
Withhold  the  seven,  and  i{ivc  nic  only  two; 
Nor  these  with  too  much  rapture  be  replete. 
Nor  yet  loo  loni;,  nor  yet  too  balmy  sweet ; 
Such  as  chaste  Uian'  to  ncr  brother  gives. 
Or  from  some  artless  maid  her  sire  receives: 
Then  bursting  from  my  arms,  with  bounding  feet 
Fly  swift,  and  hide  you  in  some  dark  rctre.it: 
Close  I'll  pursue  throuirli  each  perplexing  shade. 
Search  every  spot,  and  find  where  you  are  laid. 
And,  as  the  towering  falcon  bears  away 
The  timid  dove,  I'll  seize  my  beauteous  prey. 
Around  me  then  ycur  suppliant  arms  you'll  flin|f. 
And  hang  upon  my  neck,  and  closely  cling. 
And  on  my  lips  seven  coaxing  kisses  press. 
And  with  endearments  sue  for  your  release. 


KISSES  OF  SECUNDUS. 

But  sue  in  vain:  not  seven  shall  set  you  free, 
But  seven  times  seven  the  price  of  freedom  be: 
Still  shall  my  glowing  arms  your  neck  iiitol'l. 
And  captive  still  my  beauteous  wanton  bold. 
Then,  when  you  pay  the  balmy  ransom,  suear 
By  all  your  ^aces,  all  your  chavms,  lay  fair. 
That  oft  a^a'.n  such  frolics  you'll  pursue, 
And  oft  for  fauits  like  these  such  balmy  suuij 
due. 


Not  certain  kisses  please  my  chanijcfal  ralnd. 

Each  has  its  varied  rapture  undefin'd  ; 

So,  when  thy  humid'lips  encounter  mine. 

Sweet  is  the  humid  kiss  which  flows  from  thine  ; 

So  ardent  kisses  ardent  joys  impart. 

And  the  warm  transport  thrills  within  the  heart  s 

So  when  thine  eyes  with  tender  passion  glow, 

'Tis  sweet  to  kiss  the  authors  of  my  woe  ; 

'Tis  sweet  to  kiss  thy  cheeks,  and  breathless  lie 

On  thy  fair  neck  with  rapturous  ecstasy. 


so  KISSES  OF  SECUNDl'S. 

And  on  thy  rosv  cheeks  the  jor  indite, 
TUy  shoulders  fair,  and  bosom  snowy  -.vbite: 
And  while  our  glowing  lips,  in  amorous  pliiy, 
111  rapture  meet,  and  snatch  the  kiss  away, 
Tis  bliss  to  feel,  as  lips  with  lips  unite. 
Our  souls  commingling  in  the  dear  df:light — 
The  heart  forsaking  with  the  fleeting  breath- 
While  love  lies  panting  on  the  brink  of  death. 

To  me,  or  whether  to  thy  lips  I  give. 
Or  from  thy  ruby  lips  the  kiss  receive. 
Or  the  long  kiss,  when  lips  to  lips  adhere. 
The  soft,  the  rapid — all  alike  are  dear. 
Only  he  thine,  with  sweet  ingenious  art. 
Each  kiss  to  vary  that  thy  lips  impart ; 
Kor  what  thy  lips  receive  on  mine  bestow. 
So  shall  our  joys  with  varied  transports  t'.ow: 
But  let  the  first  who  from  this  'pact  shall  swerve. 
With  meek  submissive  looks  this  law  observe  : 

"  As  many  kisses  each  at  first  may  give. 
As  many  kisses  each  at  first  receive. 
So  many  kisses  shall  the  vanquish'd  pay. 
So  many  kisses  varied  every  way," 


KissF.s  Of  sacLNors, 


Too  ^^-ann  thy  kisses,  youths  and  maidens  cry. 
Too  warmly  told,  with  too  much  rapture  fraught, 
Kisses  to  rugged  sires  of  old  untaug^ht : 
Hence  when,  while  circled  by  my  arms  you  lie. 
And  on  your  glowing  lips  entranc'd  I  die, 
I  fain  would  ask  what  rigid  censors  say. 
The  rapture  steals  me  from  myself  away. 
And  thought  and  sense,  alike  bewilder'd  fly, 
Neccra  smil'd,  and,  snatching  to  her  breast. 

Around  my  neck  eutv.in'd  her  snowy  arms. 
And  on  my  lips  a  sweeter  kiss  impressed 
Than  Mars  e'er  ravish'd   from   the  queen  of 
charms ; 
■;;enscrs  like  these  then  fears  my  bard  ?  tw.  zAed  j 
M  my  tribona  must  thy  cause  be  Ijic.i. 


KISSKS  OK  sEOliMiVS. 


KISS   XII. 

Ye  bloominif  maids,  ye  modest  matrons,  say 
Why  from  my  pajj es  thus  avert  your  eyes  ? 
Nor  there,  distain'd  with  foul  iiideceucies. 
The  furtive  jokes  that  amorous  godheads  play 
Ve  read,  for  pure,  and  simple  is  my  lay; 
Suih  as  even  pedagog^ues,  with  looks  austere. 
May  read,  and  beardless  striplings  safely  heart 
Yet  maids  and  matrons  turn  their  eyes  away 
When  I,  chaste  votary  of  the  tuneful  nine. 

Sing  the  chaste  kiss,  and  blush  with  deep  offenct 
Because,  forsooth,  few  glowing  phrases  shine : 
Hence,  squeamish  maids!  fastidious  matrons 
hence t 
Ne«ra,  chaster  far  than  you,  approves 
As  well  th'  cffenccless  verse,  but  the  warm  poe 
wvea. 


KISSES  OF  SECUNDUS. 


KISS    XIII. 


Faint  with  the  rapturous  joy,  and   breathless 

^OWTl, 

Around  thy  neck  my  languid  arms  were  thrown. 
And  on  my  burning  Hps,  prepar'd  to  part, 
Hovcr'd  my  soul,  and  ceas'd  to  warm  my  heart ; 
Pale  Styi  already  swam  before  my  sight. 
And  hell's  grim  pilot,  and  the  shaaes  of  night, 
WTien,  gently  breathing  from  thy  inmost  breast. 
Thy  lips  on  mine  a  humid  kiss  impress'd ; 
That  kiss  rcdeem'd  me  from  the  Stygian  vale. 
And  bade  th'  infernal  vessel  freightless  sail. 
Eut,  ah !  no  freightless  voyage  th'  pilot  made. 
Still  in  those  regions  flits  my  plaintive  shade; 
Breath'd  in  this  frame,  a  part  of  thee  remains. 
Part  of  thy  soul,  and  these  faint  limbs  sustains; 
But  through  each  passage,  eager  to  be  free. 
It  pants,  it  struggles  to  revert  to  thee ; 
And,  oh !  unless  thy  fostering  breath  retain. 
Life  will  desert  this  sinking  frame  again. 
Then  to  ray  lips  thy  lips,  Nesera,  join. 
And  with  thy  soul  sostais  this  soul  of  minei 


KISSES  OF  SECUNDUS. 


So,  when  this  scene  of  life  aiid  love  is  o'er. 
From  our  joist  frames  one  single  soul  shall  soar. 


Wht  tempt  me  with  those  lips  of  scarlet  glow? 
>or  learn,  O  maiden,  with  the  flintv  breast. 
Ne'er   shall   those   proEfer'd  lips   by  mine  be 
press'dl 
Since  you  would  have  me  prize  your  kisses  so. 
Those  cold,  cold  kisses  whence  no  raptures  flow. 
That  when,  all  glowing-  with  the  wild  desire. 
In  every  pulse  I  feel  the  scorching  fire. 
As  the  warm  life-blood  rushes  to  and  fro, 
Vou  thus  refuse  mc,  and  my  pangs  deride. 

But  whither  now  ?  oh  I  fly  me  not,  but  stay; 
Oh  I  turn  not,  turn  not  those  sweet  lips  aside ; 

Oh!  turn  not  thus  those  sparkling  eyes  away; 
Yes!  I  will  kiss  thee,  to  thy  lips  be  prcss'd. 
Dear  maid,  more  gentle  far  than  cygnet's  downy 
breast! 


KISSES  OF  SKCUNDL'S. 


-'Gainsi  thee,  my  life,  he  stood  prepar'd  to  wing 
The  fiery  shaft,  and  stretch "d  the  sounding  string-; 
But  when  thy  blooming-  cheeks,  thy  forehead  fair 
The  wanton  ringlets  of  thy  flow-ing  hair. 
And  those  thy  gently  heaving  breasts  he  spied. 
Those  breasts  that  -with  his  beauteous  mother's 

vied, 
liove  paus'd  in  doubt,  enamour'd  of  thy  charms. 
Then  flung  the  dart  aside,  and  sought  thy  arms : 
There  on  thy  lips  with  childish  transport  hung. 
And  kiss'd  and  wanton'd  as  he  fondly  clung — 
Breath'd  Cypriau  odours  in  each  kiss  he  press-d. 
And  fill'd  with  fragrant  sweets  thy  inmost  breast  • 
Then  by  each  god  the  solemn  oath  he  swore. 
And  lovely  Venus,  ne'er  to  harm  thee  more. 
What  wonder  then  such  sweets  thy  kiss  imbue. 
Such  balmy  fragrance,  such  ambrosial  dew'. 
What  wonder  then  thy  heart  can  never  prove. 
Oh,  cruel  maid  '.  the  jjentle  fires  of  love . 


KISSES  OF  sEruNnrs 


KISS    XVI. 


Oh  '  brighter  than  that  planet  far 

That  sheds  her  silverv  beams  at  eve. 
Fairer  than  Venus'  g^olden  star 
Sweet  maid,  a  hundred  balmy  kisses  give; 
As  maijy  as  th'  impassiun'd  bard  coold  crave. 
As  many  as  his  beauteous  Lesbiag^ave; 

As  countless  as  the  charms  that  play 

Around  those  lips  with  crimson  dyed ; 
As  countless  as  the  loves  that  stray 
O'er  those  fair  cheeks,  and  in  their  blushe 
hide; 
As  countless  as  the  lives  your  eyes  impart ; 
As  countless  as  the  deaths  your  glances  dart: 

As  countless  as  the  hopes  and  fears. 

As  countless  as  the  lover's  sig-hs; 

As  cnunlless  a«  the  '■easeless  cares 

That  ever  muigle  \vitu  nis  teuderest  joys ; 
Or  as  those  arrows  sheath "d  within  my  breast. 
Or  those  that  stil!  in  love's  bright  quiver  rest. 


KISSES  OF  SECUNDUS.  27 

But  mingle  all  your  balmy  kisses 

With  fond  entlcarments,  mirth,  and  smiles ; 
With  soft  delights,  ■nith  murmuring  blisses, 
With  love-inspiring  jests,  and  wanton  \\Tles: 
So,  in  returning  spring,  the  billing  dores 
With  quivering  pinions  interchange  their  loves. 

And  while  npon  my  cheek  you  lie. 

Your  senses  lost  in  amorous  trance. 
And  here  and  there,  in  rapturous  joy. 
Your  passion-lieamingeyes  voluptuous  glance. 
To  me  in  sweetly  plaintive  murmurs  sigh, 
"  Support  me,  dearest,  for  I  faint,  I  die '." 

My  circling  arms  Srsnnd  yon  throwing, 

I'll  press  you  to  my  beating  heart ; 
And  the  long,  humid  kiss  bestowing. 
Recall  the  fleeting  sense,  and  life  impart: 
Till,  with  the  frequent  rapture  breathless  grown. 
In  dewy  kisses  I  expire  my  own. 

And  cry,  in  accents  faint  and  low, 

"  In  those  dear  arms,  my  love,  uphold  me  I" 
Then  round  me  your  fond  arms  you'll  tlirow. 
And  closely  to  your  fosfring  bosom  fold  mc ; 
And  pressing  on  ray  lips  the  glowing  kiss. 
Ceil  back  my  fainting  soul  to  lif  j,  and  bliss. 


28  KISSES  OF  SECUNDUS. 

Thus,  lovely  maid,  -while  yet  we  may. 

Improve  the  moments  as  they  fly, 
Wliile  life  is  in  its  vernal  day. 
And  youth  invites  us  with  a  smiling  eye; 
Soon  with  its  cares  will  frowning  age  be  here. 
And  pale  disease,  and  death  close  pressing  on  his 
rear. 


KISS    XVII. 


A  BEiGHTEB.  crimson,  with  the  morning  light. 
Blushes  the  rose  impearl'd  with  nightly  dew 
So  glow  thy  ruby  lips  with  brighter  hue. 

Moist  with  the  kisses  of  a  rapturous  night ; 
And  thy  fair  cheeks  a  fairer  tint  assume 

From  \-jolets,  as  some  hand  of  lily  white ; 
So  new  ripe  cherries  shine  'midst  luigering 
bloom. 

When  spring,  and  summer  in  the  tree  unite. 
But,  ah  I  when  thus  thy  kisses  sweetest  fiow. 

Why   forc'd   to   leave   thee,   and   forego  their 
charms ! 
Still  let  thy  lips  retain  that  beauteous  glow 

Till  eve  restores  me  to  thy  c;rtlii:g  anas  I 


KISSES  OF  SECUNDUS.  L'9 

Yet  if  some  liappier  rival  there  be  blest, 
Pale   may  tiicy  turn  as  mine   by  jealous  fears 
possess'd  1 


KISS    XVIII. 

ON   A   BUST   OP    HIS    MISTBESS    IN  TTAX. 

Tnz  moulded  wax  when  Venus  chanc'd  to  view. 
Where  shone  thy  ruby  lips  with  brighter  hue. 
As  the  red  coral  mix'd  ^vith  ivory  glows. 
And  "midst  the  circling  white  a  deeper  colour 

shows ; 
With  envy  fir'd,  a  flood  of  tears  she  shed. 
And  call'd  her  loves  around,  and  sobbing  said : 

"Ah I  what  avails  me  now,  on  flowery  Idc 
T'  have  conquer'd  Pallas,  and  Jove's  sister  bride 
When  to  these  purple  lips,  with  partial  eyes. 
The  Phrygian  shepherd  'judg'd  the  golden  prize. 
If  ever  thus,  extoll'd  with  lavish  praise. 
The  fair  transcends  me  in  the  poet's  lays  '. 
Go  then,  ye  little  loves,  and  ou  his  head 
Avenge  the  wrong,  and  all  your  fury  shed ; 


30  KISSES  OF  SECUNDUS. 

Lodge  deep  your  venom'd  shafts  in  every  part. 
And  empty  all  your  quivers  in  his  heart ; 
But  touch  not  with  your  glowing  fires  the  maid. 
For  her  reserve  your  chilling  shafts  of  lead  ; 
Cold  and  insensate  must  her  heart  remain, 
And  the  warm  current  freeze  in  every  rein." 

She  said :  and  now  through  all  mv  melting  soul 
Tlie  fiery  torments  rage  viithout  control ; 
While  you,  with  icy  heart,  in  cruel  scorn. 
Laugh  at  the  tortures  by  your  lover  borne. 
Cold  and  insensate  as  the  rock  that  braves 
Sicilia's  seas,  or  Adria's  dashing  waves. 
For  you  I  suffer,  too  ungrateful  fair, 
your  ruby  lips  provok'd  the  ills  I  bear; 
But  you,  alas '.  with  causeless  hate  pursue. 
Nor  cire  what  love,  and  angry  gods  can  do! 
Yet  cease,  oh,  lovely  maid !  the  cruel  scorn, 
That  ill  becomes  the  face  such  charms  adorn; 
And  let  those  lips,  the  cause  of  all  my  woes — 
Those  ruby  lips  where  balmy  nectar  flows — 
Oh !  let  those  honied  lips  to  mine  be  press'd. 
And  drink  the  poison  from  my  inmost  breast. 
Till  through  your  frame  the  warm  infection  steals. 
And  all  your  soul  the  mutual  ardour  feels : 
Nor  fear  the  gods,  nor  dread  the  queen  of  love. 
Beauty  like  yours  should  sway  the  powers  above. 


KlSr^F.S  OF  SKCUNDCa 


KISS    XIX 

Wht  search  for  sweets  in  every  flow-Vet's  blcom 
The  thyme,  the  anise,  scatt'ring  sweet  perfume; 
The  blushing  rose,  the  violet's  nectar'd  liower. 
Ambrosial  offsprings  of  the  vernal  hour? 
Fly,  silly  insects,  to  my  charmin;^  fair. 
Light  on  her  lips,  and  gather  fragrance  there — 
Lips  where  the  th)-me,  and  blushing  rose  dispense 
Their  rich  perfumes,  and  ravish  every  sense ; 
Where  venial  violets  all  their  sweets  exhale. 
And  fraofrant  anise  breathes  in  every  gale — 
Lips  by  Narcissus'  genuine  tears  bedew'd — 
Lips  by  th'  Oibaliau  stripling's  blood  imbued ; 
Pure  as  those  streams  where  either  ceas'd  to  be. 
He  by  foul  chance,  and  self-enamour'd  he 
That  fragrant  life-blood,  and  those  flowing  tear.i. 
By  nectar  tempered,  and  ethereal  airs. 
Whose  bahny  tides  impregn'd  the  fruitful  earth. 
And  gave  the  vari-coiour'd  flow'rets  birth. 

Permit  me  too,  ye  happy  bees,  to  share 
The  honied  treasures  that  ye  gather  there ; 


32  KISSES  OF  SECUNDUS. 

Nor  thence,  rapacious,  ravish  all  their  store 
Till  your  o'er-loaiied  cells  can  be?r  no  more. 
Lest,  when  again  my  burning;  lips  I  press. 
No  s<i'eets  refresh  me,  and  no  raptures  bless; 
And  I,  in  njadd'uinjj  disappointment,  mourn 
A  babbler's  meed,  my  folly's  just  return. 

But,  oh '.  sweet  insects,  while  ye  revel  there. 
Not  point  your  stings,  nor  wonad  the  beauteous 

fair: 
Weapons  as  keen  her  glances  dart  around. 
Nor  unaveng:'d  shall  pa,"!  the  wanton  wou&r 
Gectly,  oh',  gently,  hsppy  insects,  sip 
The  balmy  fragrance  of  her  honied  lip. 


EPITHALAMIUM, 


Hail,  g-enlal  hour' 

In  myrtle  bow'r 
Of  young-eyed  Pleasure  born  ; 

Whom  wanton  wiles. 

And  jests,  and  smiles. 
And  roseate  sports  adorn. 

Sweet  hour,  all  hail ! 

With  envy  pale, 
V/liich  Jove  himself  might  see; 

And  own  at  least 

The  nectar'd  feast 
Equall'd,  sweet  hour!  by  thee. 

No  happier  hour 

The  Gnydian  power 
Could  on  blest  man  bestow; 

Nor  he,  who  reigns 

O'er  farthest  plains, 
God  of  the  fata]  bow. 


EPITHALAMIUM. 

Young  Cupid,  wild 

As  any  child, 
WTio  shakes  his  pnrple  wings; 

And  some  rich  joy, 

Delicious  bov! 
On  every  sorrow  flings ; 

Nor  thou,  great  Queen, 

Uurivall'd  seen, 
With  wondrous  grace  to  move; 

At  Love's  high  feast 

A  bidden  guest. 
Sister  and  wife  of  Jove. 

Kor,  Hvmen,  thon. 

Upon  the  brow 
Of  tuneful  mountain  bom ; 

Who  d.vell'st  in  bowers 

Of  am"rous  flowers. 
And,  from  her  mother  torn, 

Lead'st  much  afraid. 

Much  pleas'd,  the  maid, 
(Midst  doubts,  and  hopes,  and  sighs,) 

To  the  dear  youth, 

"\\nio,  full  of  truth. 
In  wild  expectance  lies. 


EPITHALAMIUM. 

O  honr  of  bliss. 

To  eqcal  this 
01)-nipus  strives  in  rain ; 

O  happy  pair, 

O  happy  fair, 
O  happy,  happy  swain! 

Hall,  wedded  hoy, 

%\'liose  only  joy 
Soon  in  thy  aims  shall  rest 

And  face  to  face. 

In  fond  embrace 
Sitik  gently  on  thy  breast . 

She,  who  all  day 

An  infant  lay 
Prattling  at  Beauty's  feet; 

Who  kiss'd  the  chiid. 

And,  as  it  smil'd, 
Breath'd  o'er  it  every  sweet; 

Breath'd  charms  so  brigbt. 

That  at  the  sight 
Venus  shrank  back  with  awe : 

And  from  her  skies, 

With  envious  eyes. 
Indignant  Juno  satr 
d3 


EPiTHALAMIUM. 

A  nobler  mien  i 
E'en  \Visdoii>"s  queen 

With  female  anger  glow'd  ; 
And  ask'd  what  chance. 
At  each  proud  (;iaiiC«, 

Such  matchless  gifts  bcstow'd? 

Should  they  all  three 

Once  more  agree 
To  %Tsit  Ida's  shade; 

And  should  again 

Tlie  slicpherd  swain 
Be  of  the  contest  made 

Sole  Ju<1ge :  no  more 

To  Paphos"  bow"r 
Would  laughing  Venu^  bfcar 

The  prize  away; 

No  longer  sar, 
•  I'm  fairest  of  the  fail " 

But'w-ith  one  choice. 

With  one  lond  voice. 
Hers  would  the  apple  be 

In  features,  sense. 

And  elegance. 
Who  most  rescubJed  thee. 


EPITHALAMIUM. 

O  hocr  of  bliss. 

To  equal  this 
Olympus  strives  in  vain; 

O  happy  pair, 

O  h?.p))y  fair, 
O  happy,  happy  swain! 

Hall,  happy  bride, 
riiy  husbaiiil's  pride, 
■    1  soon,  in  eagor  fold. 
The  conscious  bed, 
IVith  blush.fs  red, 
virgin  ueck  shall  hold. 

Long  hath  the  fire 

Of  slow  desire 

early  prime  consum'd  i 

Marking,  as  blows 

The  opening  rose, 

I'  thy  young  beauties  bloom 'd. 

Thy  breast  of  snow. 
Thy  lips  that  glow 
calth  divinely  warm; 
And  thy  bright  hair. 
With  artless  care 
•  nse  wanton  ringlet*  cUarm 


93475 


EPITHALAMIDB4. 

•  Ne'er  will  the  snn 
'  His  circuit  ran;' 

Impatient  of  dclav. 

He  sighing  cries  t 

'  O  moon,  arise ! 
'  O  come,  O  come  away! 

'  Come,  mildly  bright, 
'  Pure  orb  of  light, 
'To  thee  such  scenes  belong: 

*  Come,  every  star, 
'  And  from  afar 

'  Be^n  the  bridal  song.' 

O  hour  of  bliss. 

To  equal  tuis 
Olympus  strives  in  vain , 

O  happy  pair, 

O  nappy  fair, 
O  happy,  happy  swain ! 

Cease,  cease  thy  fears, 

Tttj  rows,  and  tears, 
O,  fervent  bridegroom,  cease; 

Soon  shall  thy  heart. 

No  more  to  part, 
Rtfiume  Its  long-lo^t  peace. 


EPITHALAMIUM. 

Soon  from  her  throne 

Of  cygnets'  down, 
With  many  a  chaplet  gay. 

Love's  constant  friend. 

Shall  Venus  bend. 
And  chide  the  ling'ring  day. 

She  chides ; — and  see 

The  burning  sea 
Its  radiant  god  receives ; 

Faintly  he  eleams. 

And  his  shorn  beams 
In  blushing  billows  laves. 

See  in  her  hand 

An  ebon  v.and. 
How  liis  lov'd  sister  guides 

Her  silver  car. 

Sweet  wanderer. 
Climbing  heaven's  crystal  sines. 

Mark  too  that  star, 

To  virgins  dear, 
Hesperl  with  glitt'ring  head 

Wlio  loves  his  train 

O'er  the  blue  train 
(o  golden  ranks  to  lead. 


EPITHALAMIUM. 

O  hour  of  bliss, 

To  equal  this 
Clyuipiis  strives  in  vain; 

O  liappy  pair, 

O  happy  fair, 
O  tiai)py,  happy  sw^n ' 

Now  shall  the  maid 

At  length  be  laid, 
A  rich,  unspotted  prize; 

Now  youth,  beware. 

Be  thine  the  care. 
That  she  no  uiaid  arise. 

Now,  plac'il  in  bed, 

With  unfeiu'ii'd  red 
Her  beauteous  face  shall  glcw| 

Now  shall  she  fear 

Thy  tread  to  hear, 
And  hope,  and  wish  it  novir. 

Perhaps  a  tear. 

As  crystal  clear. 
In  tricklinir  haste  may  flow; 

Perhaps  with  sighs 

Your  heart  s!ie  tries. 
Or  murra'rinK  vents  her  woe. 


EPITHALAMIUM. 

But  mind  not  thou 
The  tears  that  Cow 

Mind  not  the  piteous  sigU  J 
Soft  soothing  speak, 
And  her  wet  check 

Wipe  with  thy  kisses  dry. 

O  hour  of  bliss. 

To  equal  this 
Olympus  strives  in  vain; 

O  happy  ]^aiT, 

O  happy  fair, 
O  happy,  happy  swain' 

Thus  when  supine. 

With  lips  divine 
She  prints  the  nuptial  bed- 

And,  like  a  rtow'r 

Witli  hasty  sho^v'r 
0"crcomc,  her  virgin  head 

HantfS  down  in  shame 
When  o'er  her  frame 

Soft  languors  gently  creep 
And  the  elos"d  eye. 
Unknowing  why. 

Attempts  in  vain  to  sleep: 


EPITHALAMIUM. 

When  at  the  side 

Of  lliy  dear  bride 
Thou  Kcst,  Dione's  caxe; 

Happier  in  love 

Than  am"rous  Jove, 
Than  monarchs  iiappier  far 

Then,  in  full  tides 

Whilst  vig:our  glides. 
Troubling  through  ev'ry  veiu. 

Begin  the  fight 

Of  fierce  delight. 
Of  pleasure  mix'd  with  pain. 

Then,  let  the  kiss 

Of  humid  bliss 
O'er  her  sweet  body  fly; 

O'er  her  warm  cheek. 

Her  eyes,  her  Keck, 
And  lips  of  luscious  dye. 

Oft  shalJ  |he  cry, 

'  O  cruel,  nc'.' 
Oft  weeping  say,  '  Forbear- 

Oft  sliall  her  hand 

Vour  lips  Avithstand, 
Oft  meet  you,  you  know  wnere. 


EPITHALAMIUM 

O  night  of  bliss. 

To  equal  this 
Olympus  strives  in  r^ni 

3  happy  pair, 

O  happy  fair, 
O  happy,  happy  swain! 

Much  in  defence 

Of  innocence. 
Of  virtue's  nicest  laws. 

Will  the  dear  maid 

Affrighted  plead. 
And  urge  a  moment's  pause. 

In  vain  she  strives ; 

Enjoyment  lives 
On  such  cudear'd  delays; 

Ami  the  wild  fire 

Of  fierce  desire, 
Oppos'd,  the  wilder  plays. 

Hence,  proud  in  arms. 

O'er  her  rich  charms 
With  nimblest  strength-jou  movej 

Hence,  bolder  grown. 

To  the  great  throne 
Of  love  iusaiiate  rove. 


EPITHALAMIUM. 

What  vast  excess 

Of  liappiness. 
In  sbo\v"rs  of  kisses  veil'd; 

When  her  soft  cries 

In  softer  sijjhs 
You  drown,  and  -win  the  field. 

O  night  of  bliss. 

To  equal  this 
Olympus  strives  in  rain; 

O  happy  pair, 

O  happy  fair, 
O  happy,  liappy  swain ! 

Not  but  he'll  speak 

In  accents  meek. 
Pleading  his  tale  of  love; 

Soft,  as  when  plays 

The  silken  breeze. 
Thai  wakes  the  whisp'ring  gro-e. 

Soft,  as  when  coos 

The  dove  that  woos 
His  mate  in  vernal  bow'rs; 

Or  with  sweet  throat. 

When  her  last  note 
The  swan  erpiring;  povirs: 


EP1THALA.M1UM. 

Till  vanquisliM  quite 

In  the  foiul  figlit, 
O'ercome  by  Cupid's  dart. 

She  lends  her  ear 

In  blushing  fear. 
And  yields  her  virijiu  heart: 

Till  that  she  lies 

All  bare,  and  cries, 
'  Sweet  lovely  murd"rer,  come; 

Exi)anils  her  arms, 

Unfolds  her  charm-;. 
Aid  patitiii;;  waits  her  di  ->ia. 

O  ni^ht  of  bliss. 

To  equal  this 
Olympus  strives  in  vaiai 

O  happy  pair, 

O  liappy  fair, 
O  happy,  happy  swain! 

Tlicn  shall  thy  lip, 

Dolinlited,  sip 
The  dew  of  iicelar'd  bliss: 

The-i  shall  thy  soul, 

Without  control, 
r.ujov  the  linjf'rin^  kiss. 


EPITHALAMIDM. 

Then  thy  rich  smUes, 
And  wanton  wiles. 

As  wanton  shell  return  ; 
With  raptures  sweet. 
Thy  raptures  meet. 

And,  as  thou  burnest,  bonu 

Then  close  to  thine 

Her  mouth  shall  join, 
Sucking  voluptuous  death ; 

Till,  in  one  sigh 

Of  ecstasy. 
Both  touch  the  verge  of  deatti: 

Till  that,  more  gsf 

In  am  "reus  play. 
The  genial  couch  she  shake*: 

Warm  livelier  sports 

Inventive  courts. 
And  what  she  wishes  speau*. 

O  ni^ht  of  bliss. 

To  equal  this 
Olympus  strives  in  vain  j 

O  happy  pair, 

O  happy  fair, 
O  hap'-7,liappy  swain' 


EPITHALAMIUM. 

Then,  then,  '  To  arms !' 
Tlie  queen  of  charms ; 
To  arms'.'  young  Cupid  cries s 
They  hear,  obey, 
Ann  urge  the  fray 
Of  sweet  contentioos  joys. 


She  pants,  she  bleeds; 

The  youth  succeeds ; 
More  close  they  now  engage  t 

While  here  and  thero 

Love's  nimble  spear. 
Quick-darting,  fires  their  rag«. 

That  wondrous  spear. 

Great  god  of  war! 
Which  not  thy  sister  guides: 

But  one  more  dear. 

Thy  mistress  fair, 
WTio  at  these  sports  presides 

WTio,  in  such  fights 

Well  pleas'd,  delights 
The  rendinir  wouads  to  spy  . 

Wuo  lOves  to  see 

Coy  Chastity 
A  bleeding  victim  li«. 


EPITHALAMIUM. 

Mark,  with  what  heat 

"lliey  stru^'jflinjf  meet. 
How  every  limb's  employed; 

Till  at  tlie  last, 

Consutiiiiitr  fast, 
Eiijoyiiijf,  aud  eiijoy'd, 

Thev  g^a-sp  for  breath 
A  monieut's  ileath 

Th'  enervate  body  knows; 
While  on  eauh  side 
Ix)ve"s  various  tide 

lu  streams  of  pleasure  flcMs. 


Osiifht  of  bliss. 

To  equal  this 
Olyinpus  strives  in  vain  ; 

O  happy  pair, 

O  happy  fair, 
O  happy,  happy  swain ' 

Rest,  take  your  ease: 

May  sports  like  these. 
With  many  a  conscious  moon. 

Be  oft  renew'd ; 

As  oft  be  view'd 
By  many  a  blushing  stio  ! 


EPITHALAMIUM. 

And,  oh :  bless V.  pair! 

Way  offsprings  dear 
Soon  crown  your  fond  embrace; 

Soon  may  there  rise. 

To  Kla  !  vour  eyes, 
A  long  ani  beauteous  raoe'. 

Whose  converse  gay 

Will  chase  aur.y 
Each  beart-consumniR  rare; 

Whose  infant  -nrle 

Those  pains  btijuilc, 
Tliose  pains  you're  doom'd  to  bez 

And,  when  old  afje 

Life's  whitest  page 
Shall  from  your  sisjlit  remove. 

Who  on  your  bier 

AVill  drop  a  tear— 
The  tear  of  filial  love: 

Rest,  take  your  ease; 

For  sports  like  these 
New  strength,  new  ardour  gain. 

Rest,  happy  pair. 

Rest,  happy  fair, 
Rest,  happy,  happy  sw»in' 


THE    REPULSB. 


Onb  kiss  you  eirnestly  implore. 

And  I  for  tliis,  liear  youth,  must  fl/  the»« 
That  boon  obtain'd,  you'd  ask  for  mort;, 

4  ad  I,  alas !  could  not  deny  thee. 

^^'ytt  would  be  love's  tender  tie, 
■*  '*t  strives  to  bind  thy  heart  in  vain  ; 
->i  then  the  hapless  maid  mig^ht  sigh 
'TV'hile  thou  wouldst  triumph  in  hei  paia, 


THE   AUTHORS    APOLOGY 


rOR  THE  VOLUVTVOVSNESS    OF   HIS  WHITINGS. 


WouLiJ  then  some  meddling;  fool  inquire 

Why  themes  like  tiiese  tlie  poet  sinjfs. 
Why  soft,  voluptuous  thoughts  inspire. 

And  passion  trembles  in  his  strinjfs? 
Tell  him,  because  I  hate  the  race 

Of  critics,  and  defy  their  rage: 
It  is  because  their  dull  grimace 

Shall  ne'er  defile  my  tender  page. 

Were  kings  my  theme,  and  did  I  paint 

Tlie  pagea-it  of  some  tyrant's  state; 
Or  of  some  bigot,  decniM  a  saint. 

The  fabled  miracles  relate  ; 
CoMimeut,  and  gloss,  and  note  vould  sjiread 

Confusion  o'er  each  torturM  vcisc; 
And  the  poor  stripling  while  lie  read 

Would  sigh,  and  deem  his  task  a  cuise. 
r2 


3  THE  AUTHOR'S  APOLOGY 

Wliile  I  dclijfli*,  in  themes  like  tliese 

That  bid  tlic  soul  with  p:i!>siun  melt, 
My  verse  shall  never  cease  to  please, 

For  hy  ih.;  !4l"«ii,:;  iiran   '.is  (Vlt : 
In  my  soft  strains  the  youth  shall  plead 

His  passion  to  the  i|iai<!  ailor"!! ; 
Aiid  the  warm  ifirl,  liul  i-r-.xl.-  .voil. 

Repeat  them  to  her  youthful  lord. 


NOTE 


KISSES    OF   SECUXDUS. 


(The  mbiect  of  this  poem  is  from  Virgjl,) 

"  Had  borne  Ascanius  lo  Cylhcra's  groTC.'' 
Ascanius  (son  o! /Eneas,  and  ^andsoii  of  Vectsj 
w-as  /inT.iu  irom  the  fiamrs  of  Troy  by  his  fnlhei, 
whom  he  succeeded  in  the  kingdom  of  Lalinus. 
Cythera,  (in  compass  about  six  miles,)  an  island 
in  Peloponnesus,  ■was  particularly  sacred  to  tlie 
goddess  Venus,  who  rose,  it  is  supposed  by 
Hcsicd,  the  poet,  from  the  sea  near  its  coasts. 
At  Cvthera.  the  Phceuicians  dedicated  a  beautiful 
temple  V»  Venus. 

P'loiioiiiiesns  toTprehenrfs  the  mo:'  toTHhern  puta  vf 
Greece.     lu  ijre5ent  .nai;  e  is  :he  Morea. 

The  ciiy  of  Troy  has  leen  celebrated  by  the  poems  of 
Uotrei'  ui  Virgil.     Tt  i  Trojaa  war  was  onrieriaker.  by 


the  Greeks  to  recover  Helen,  (the  most  beaatifnl  womaa 
of  hir  time.)  whom  Paris,  the  son  of  Priam,  the  king  of 
Troy,  had  carried  away  from  tlie  bonse  of  Menelaus,  king 
of  Sparta. 

"Adonis'  iinaee  to  her  raiad  return'd." 
Adonis  was  the  tavourite  of  Venus.  He  was 
foud  of  huiitiiii^,  ami  v-ka  cautioiio!  by  his  mis 
tress  not  to  iuuit  wild  bea-Jts.  T.^e  ;idvit-c,  how- 
ever, he  sligiited ;  aii'J,  al  lait,  Ke  received  a 
morial  bite  from  a  wil'!  boar,  which  he  had 
wounded.  Venus,  after  siiedding  many  tears  at 
his  death,  changc«{  him  into  the  flower  called 
Aueaiouy.    Adonis  was  also  au  .Assyrian  idol. 

"  The  thrilling:  transports  of  Dions's  joy." 
According  to  Homer  and  others,   Di-jue  was 
mother  of  Venus,  by  Jupiter;  but  Venua  ncrself 
is  sometimes  called  Dione. 

"  Like  Celens'  son  of  old.'' 
Cel-eus,  king  of  Eleiisis,  (a  town  of  Attica,)  gave 
B  kind  reception  to  Ceres,  (the  goddess  of  har- 
vests,) who  in  return  taught  his  sou,  Triptolemos, 
the  cultivation  of  the  earth. 

"And  while  the  Muses'  hill  shall  last." 

Helicon,  a  hill  of  Boetia,  (a  country  of  Greece.) 

«-aj  sacred  to  the  Muses,  wiio  had  there  a  temple. 


SECUNDUS. 


C5 


The  fonnf-Sn.  H;ppocrer.e,  (wi:lch  first  rose  from. 
t!ic  ifrouiiil  v\hen  stru;;k  by  t!ic  uDrse  Pt'sfasus,) 
and  Mour.t  Pariia::sus,  were  ?.i.so  buth  sacred  to 
the  Muses.  Pariiassus  is  oue  of  the  ti-ghcit 
mountains  oj  Europe. 

Hippccreue  is  derived  Irom  '•  ipp^u  crene,"  the  ho.'se's 


(This  description  of  Elysinm  is  ■ 


ofTiboIlns.) 


"  So  let  tliy  arms,  Neaera." 
NcJEra  was  the  mistress  of  Joi.aiiiies  SeruiiJus, 
and  to  his  acquaintaiiee  uitli  this  iadj-  «e  are 
indebted  for  this  porlicn  of  his  .vorks.  The  lady 
possessed  an  ac<;uiii|il:shed  min<l,  as  well  a.s  a 
beautiful  person,  and  was  an  ardent  admirer  of 
poetry.  We  eaiinot,  however,  undertake  to  say 
wliether  hLs  Basia  are  to  be  considered  as  proofs 
that  he  was  passionately  fond  of  licr  person,  or 
merely  as  poetical  coiiipMniciits  addressed  to  a 
■woman  who  played  with  his  feelings,  ami  kept 
them  peipctually  intianied.  But  a  twclveniouth 
bad   searcely   passed    before   he   discovered    l:c» 


56  N  0  T  E  S  i 

real  cliaracter,  when  he  for^vardcd  the  fnllowioK 
Epitrran:  to  her,  wiiich,  pt:fi.ips,  is  a  itaster-piec* 
iu  that  st;,lc  of  « riling : 

Thy  beamy  won  r.je.  aiiii  ihy  Lraming  eyes, 
Thy  niaiiaers,  prond  Neurra.  t  despise  ; 
NVked  ihr.Q  pieasesc  noc:   1  Ime  ihee  best 
«c  niod&5l  j^arb.  and  oiiiissDUjing  v&)l: 
Thy  flowing  kisses  thrill  me  »ilh  delight; 
Yet  Id  not  ask  thee  for  &  single  night. 
K^ture  thai  ^ve  thee  be-iRiies  give  beside 
A  thniisdiid  faalts  those  beaniies  cannot  hidej 
And  ret.  despite  ci'.i!l  thy  f:inlts,  I  feel 
Those  chamw  resistless,  and  I  lore  thee  stih. 

When  beauty  smiles,  sore  Itrve  has  eyes  can  trace 
The  cliimis  :hat  yli^e.  and  number  every  grace; 
N.it  his  so  vrell  whom  Jnno  choje  her  spy. 
Or  Lynreus  finiM  {_,  ^uick  -liscerniiig  eye: 
Not  Thainyris  sn  blind  » lie  i  finiis  appeal; 
Nor  he  oi  o:d  renowu'd.  the  Grerian  seer. 

There  was  als.j  a  Roman  ••oartczan  of  the  name 
of  N'ex-a,  tt  ho  wat  mistress  to  Tibullus,  as  weU 
as  a  favourite  of  Horace.  These  cciebnitcd  poets 
had  a  poetical  contest  for  llie  favours  of  that  eels 
brHte'i  woman.  'I'he  foUowinf;  is  a  transiation  of 
0<!c  l.i.  Book  5,  wherein  Horace  complains  oi 
NesEi-i's  breach  of  faith : 

ami.iit;  the  :t<ser  stirs-  when  yno.  abcnt  to  vv.Ute  the 
diviTi'iv  i.l  the  great  goiis,  soore  lo  b<  true  to  my  re- 
qnests.  embracing  trt^  with  y.^ar  r-liant  ariTiS  r  lure  clrselv 
ta.v  the  loity  oal:  it  duped  o,-  iiit  ivf ;  that  while  lo* 


SECUNDUS.  57 

wolf  shonid  reirain  an  enemy  to  the  flocV,  and  Orion, 
'npropiiiocs  tu  ilie  ^.lilors,  sno.iM  irniilile  the  wintrv  sei, 
and  while  me  j;r.-,h;...l.lf.,ii  ihe  a...l.„rM  L.cks  „f  AhjI.u, 
JO  /»;i^  f/OL*  ro:cctl  ihat  this  luve  shoniii  be  imi*o;iI.  O 
Ne*ra,  j/o»i  shall  owe  dat/  jjreaily  grieve  on  irrtMitit  of  my 
merit .  for.  if  there  is  a:iy  tiling  ••!  mauhiMid  in  H>.r.-ire,  he 
will  iiKt  endure  that  yuu  shonlil  tlcli-  :.;e  your  ii't;hls  cuii- 
linnally  to  aiiocher,  whom  ytm  prclfr,  aiid,  exaspertted. 
he  \rill  look  out  *ur  a  mistress  tcfio  icttl  ictum  fit's  /ore: 
and,  thoc);h  an  iiiiret>rtietl  gnrmw  shonh)  take  possession 
of  yuu.  yet  my  firiiiiiess  shili  not  give  way  to  that  heauty 
wh;rh  has  ouce  given  nie  disgust. 

"  Though  Ceres  pour  her  countless  treasures." 
Ceres,  the  ijoddcss  of  corn  and  harvests.  Shs 
had  a  daughter  liy  Jupiter,  whom  she  called 
Proserpine.  This  (laua:iiter  was  tarried  away  by 
Pluto,  as  she  was  fiatherini;  flowers.  Ceres 
sousjht  Proserpine  all  over  .^icily ;  and  when 
iiifiht  came  slie  liijhteil  two  ton  hus  in  the  llaiues 
cf  Mount  /Kliia,  to  continue  her  search  all  o\er 
the  worlil.  -At  Icnvrth,  Areti:usa  informed  her 
that  her  daujihtcr  had  been  carried  away  by  Pluto. 
Ceres  immediately  llew  into  heaven  with  her 
chariot  drawn  by  two  dragons,  and  demanded  of 
Jupiter  the  restoration  of  her  daughter,  which 
the  i;on  aijrced  t>>  i^raiit.  proviilcil  Proserpine  had 
not  eaten  any  thintj  in  the  kinij'ii):n  of  Pluto;  but 
Pioserpiui"  had  cati-n  of  the  (fraiuN  o<  a  po:iiei;ri- 
iiate,  which  she  had  jjathcred  as  she  v.aikea  o-.er 
the  Eiysian  belda  •   her  return,  tberciore,  uoa 


Impracticable.  During  tlie  inquiries  of  Ceres  for 
her  dausftiter,  the  cultivation  of  the  earth  was 
nejrlecleil. 

Jnpiier  »v.s  ihe  u.mi  pmverfal  of  all  iVie  gnds  of  tno 
aiicieiiis.  As  the  wife  J  I'liiti.,  Pruserpine  became  queen 
of  hell  -  /Jiiliens  <.f  Ar.  ;idii  fell  in  love  with  Arethusa; 
bat  she,  to  jnoul  iiis  c<.nrtshii>,  f.td  intu  Sicily,  where  she 

It  wus  fiai:l  by  the  ancients,  that  any  thin^  thrown  into 
the  river  of  Alphens,  will  show  itself  on  the  waters  of 
Arethnsa.— The  Elystan  fields  were  sojiposetl  by  some  to 
be  in  the  Fi>riunaie  Isl.tuds.  on  the  roust  ofAfrifa;  on 
the  authority  of  XHrtjil,  (the  poet.)  they  wire  situate  in 
Italy;  acconlinu  to  Luciaii,  they  w-ere  i.ear  the  nir>on; 
au'l  in  the  centre  of  the  earth,  if  we  beUe\-e  Plutarch,  (tta 
biographer.) 

"  Thong-h  rosy  Bacchus  call." 
Bacchus  is  tlic  O.siris  (the  jrrcat  deitjO  of  the 
Eicyptians.  He  was  the  got!  of  vintage,  of  wine, 
and  of  drinker.s,  and  is  generally  represented  as 
an  elTuminate  youuir  man,  crowned  with  vine  and 
ivy  leaves  ;  somctinics,  however,  he  appears  as  all 
iufaiit ;  and  at  otiiers,  as  an  old  man.  His  ainours 
were  not  numerous. 

"And  wafted  o'er  the  Stypian  flood." 
Styx,  a  celebrated  river  of  hell,  round  which  it 
flows  nine  limes.    'V\\c  water  is  so  cold  and  veno- 
mous that  it  is  fata!  to  any  one  who  drinks  it. 


SECUNDUS. 


"Or,  sweets  that  from  Hyniettus'  thymy  brow. 


Hyir.ett'js  is  a  mountain  of  Altica,  (22  miles 
from  Atliei:s,)  famous  for  its  bees  and  excellent 
honey.    Cecropja  «  as  the  original  nan-«  of  Athens. 

"  I  shall  revel  in  Olympian  bowers." 
Mount  Olympus  was  supposed  by  the  an»ients 
to  touch  the  heavens ;  and  from  that  circujii- 
stauee,  they  iiave  mwde  it  the  residence  of  tlie 
p)ils  and  tlie  court  of  Jupiter.  It  is,  however, 
about  a  mile  and  a  half  in  perpendicular  height, 
and  is  covered  witli  pleasant  woods,  caverns,  and 
i;rottos.  AcLordiUsJ  to  tlie  poets,  there  was 
iiei'.iier  wind,  rain,  nor  cloucis,  but  one  eternal 
spring  ou  the  top  of  tliis  mountain. 


KISS    VII. 
"  So  Sol,  when  be  rises,  dispels  from  the  sky." 

Sol  (the  sunj  was  a:;  object  of  veneration  among 
the  ancients.  However,  ApoUo,  Phiubus,  and 
Sol,  are  supposed  to  be  the  same  divinity  by  some 
writers,  th6u;(h  denied  by  others. 


NOTES! 


KISS   VIII. 


"  My  blooming  Venus,  and  my  gentle  do%'e." 

Venus  is  tiie  t^oddess  af  love,  beauty,  and  mirth, 
when  talien  in  the  best  sense ;  but  she  is  as  often 
viewed  as  the  patroness  of  lewdness,  adultery,  &c. 
Cicero  mentions  four  of  this  name,  which  are 
confoanded  by  the  poets.  0/  these,  however,  the 
most  celebrAtcd  is  the  Venus  who  sprang  from  the 
sea,  and  who  soon  after  was  carried  to  heaven, 
where  she  was  admired  for  her  beauty.  Jiipitor 
attempted  to  gain  her  affections;  but  Venus  re- 
fused Li:n,  when  ho  gave  her  in  marriage  to  his 
deformed  son,  Vulcan.  Her  intrigue  with  Mar* 
is  the  most  celebrated.  The  power  of  Venus  over 
the  heart  was  supported  and  assisted  by  a  girdle, 
which  gave  beauty,  grace,  and  elegance,  when 
worn  by  even  the  most  deformed.  She  is  generally 
represented  with  her  son  Cupid  either  on  a  cha- 
riot drawn  by  doves,  or  by  swans  or  sparrows. 

Horace,  in  Ode  i6,  Book  3,  bids  farewell  to  Love. 
The  following  are  extracts  from  the  translation 
by  Smart : 

I  lately  iiverl  a  proper  person/jr  the  servict  of  the  gills, 
»ri(l  campaigned  il  not  without  honour. 
So  also  in  Ode  1,  Book  1 : 

I  un  uot  the  man  I  wa»  under   the  domiuioo  of  gooi 


SECUKDUS.  CI 

natnted  Cyrara,  (one  of  Horsce**  favocntes.)  Forkear 
O  cr>ie!  mcther  of  si>fi  desires  '.  to  ber.d  one  borderiui;  npon 
£fty,  now  loo  harncncd  for  yonr  soft  romin^nds.  Go 
whither  tlie  soothing  prayers  of  vimth  invoke  yoo.  As  for 
cie,  neither  women,  nor  yonib,  nor  the  fond  ntpe  of  a 
motual  inclination,  nor  to  contend  in  wine,  nor  to  bind 
my  tempies  with  fresh  flowers,  deught  me  any  longer.  Yet 
■till  io  my  dreams  I  catch  thee  in  my  arms. 


"  Such  as  chaste  Dian'  to  her  brother  gives." 

According;  to  Cicero,  there  were  three  goddessei 
of  the  uame  of  Diana :  but  the  daughter  of  Jupiter 
■n-as  the  most  celebrated.  She,  out  of  love  to 
ciiastity,  retired  into  the  woods,  and  there  exer- 
cised herself  (with  her  njrinphs)  in  hunting  wild 
beasts.  Slse,  however,  forg;ot  her  digrnty  to  enjoy 
the  company  of  Endymion,  a  shepherd,  whom  she 
cast  into  a  deep  sleep  on  Mount  Latinus,  where 
he  lay  naked,  and  was  so  struck  with  his  beauty, 
that  she  aftenvards  oaine  down  from  heaven  every 
night  to  enjoT  his  company.  Slie  was  called  in 
heaven  bv  the  name  of  Phcbe,  and  was  supposed 
€>  be  tl^e  same  as  t:.e  tsooa.    Tae  most  faniouj 


of  her  temples  was  that  of  Ephesus,  which  was  ons 
of  t!ie  seven  wivudcrs  of  ttie  u-orld. 

AccrdM,;.  f..  H..r„e.  she  wi,  proteciress  of  the  mono- 
taiiiB,  aiio  ihe  groves,  and  •'  atiend::il  the  yono);  womea 
u  labour,  and  (iresened  them  from  death. 


"Than  IMars  e"er  ravisti'd  from  the  queen  of 
cliKrius." 

AccorHing^  to  Hornpr,  Mars  was  ttie  son  of 
JiiIiitiT  hiiil  Juno;  but  Ovifl  makes  him  the  sen 
of  Juno  without  a  fattier,  as  Juno  was  anxious  to 
become  a  mother  witliout  the  a&sistanec  of  the 
otlier  sex.  IMars  was  tlie  >joiI  of  war,  and  he 
guined  tlie  affection  of  Venus,  and  gratified  his 
desires.  Vulcan  was  informed  of  liis  wife's  de- 
baucheries, and  he  secretly  placed  a  net  around 
the  l)ed,  and  the  two  lovers  were  exposed  in  each 
other's  arnvs  to  tlie  ridicule  of  the  gods.  Mars 
presided  over  gladiators,  and  was  the  god  of 
hundu^  and  ailimauiy  exercises  and  amusemeiits. 


8ECUNDU3 


KISS    XV 


"  Breath 'd  Cyorian  odours  in  each  kiss  he  prcss'd." 
The  term  Cyprian  is  derived  from  Cyprus,  a 
larjje  islaud  between  Cilicia  and  Syria,  sacred  to 
Venus,  wno  had  many  tenjples  tliere,  especially 
one  at  Paphos,  where  tne  virgins  -.vere  permitted 
by  the  laws  to  obtaiu  a  dowry  by  prostitatioa. 


KISS    XVI. 

"  As  many  as  his  beauteous  Lcsbia  gave." 

The  women  of  Lesbos  were  celebrated  fortneu 
beauty,  and  for  their  skill  in  music;  but  the 
people  were  so  dissipated,  that  the  epithet  "  Les 
bian''  wa-s  frequently  used  to  sitjnify  extravagance, 
Alcieus  and  Sappho,  however,  were  natives  of  this 
place,  and  di.^tinsruished  themselves  by  their 
poctitiil  compositions.  Lesbos  (now  Meteliii)  is 
a  large  island  in  the  ^gean  sea,  and  the  wiae 
there  produced  was  as  much  esteemed  by  tita 
au'jients  as  by  the  moderns. 


KISS   XVIII. 

(SecnnHns  »-as  in  the  h»l)it  of  mouljing  in  wax;  »nd 
therefore  it  is  presiiiueil  tliai  lie  took  a  likeness  of 
Neaera.; 

.    ..."  On  flow'ry  Ide 
T'havc  conqucr'd  Pallas,  and  Jove's  sister  bride." 

"The  Phrvgian  shepherd  'judg'd  the  golden  prize." 

Ide  {Id/i)  is  a  raouutain  in  Phrygia,  a  small  dis- 
tance from  Troy.  It  was  on  this  mount  that  the 
shepherd  Paris  adjudged  the  prize  of  beauty  (the 
golden  apple)  to  Venus,  against  Juno  and  Minerva 
(Pallas.)  The  top  of  Ida  was  covered  with  green 
wood,  and  its  elevation  afforded  a  fine  and  exten- 
sive view  of  the  Hellespont  and  the  adjacent 
countries.  Minerva  received  the  name  of  Pallas 
because  she  killed  the  giant  of  that  name.  She  is 
the  goddess  of  wisdom,  war,  and  all  the  liberal 
arts ;  and  was  the  first  who  built  a  ship.  Juno 
was  si.stcr  to  Jupiter,  who  (not  insensible  to  her 
cliarms)  more  effectually  to  gain  her  confidence, 
ch-angcd  himself  into  a  cuckoo,  raised  a  great 
storm,  and  rendered  the  air  chill  and  cold.  U.ider 
I'uai  fc>riii  he  went  to  Juno,  who  pitied  the  cuckoo 
&iid  too*  it  to  her  busum.  As  soon  as  Jupiter  had 
gained  these  advantages,  be  resumed  his  original 


SECL'SDl'S.  65 

form,  after  he  had  made  a  solemn  promise  of  mar 
riage  to  his  sister,  he  gratified  his  desires.  By 
this  marriage  Juuo  became  the  queen  of  all  the 
gods,  and  mistress  of  heaven  and  earth. 

"  Sicilia's  seas,  or  Adria's  dashing  waves." 
The  wliirlpool  of  Charybdis,  on  llie  coast  of 
Sicily,  was  very  dang-erous  to  sailors,  and  it  proved 
fatal  to  a  part  of  the  fleet  of  Ulysses.  It  appears 
to  be  an  Jig^itated  water  from  seventy  to  ninety 
fathoms  deep,  circlinij  in  quick  eddies.  A  seventy 
four  gun-ship  has  been  whirled  round  on  its 
surface.  On  the  opposite  shore  (Italy)  there  is  a 
dangerous  rock  called  Scylla. 
The  sea  of  Adria  is  now  called  the  gulf  of  Venice 


KISS   XIX. 

"  Ambrosial  offspring  of  the  vernal  hour." 
The  food  of  the  gods  was  called  ambrosia,  and 
the'r  drink  nectar.  'I'he  word  ambrosia  signifies 
immortal,  and  the  food,  which  was  sweeter  than 
honey,  and  of  a  most  odoriferous  smell,  had  the 
power  to  give  immortality  to  all  tliose  who  par 
took  of  it.  Juno  perfumed  her  hair  with  ambrosift 
when  she  adorned  herself  to  captivate  Jupiter. 


'  Lips  by  Narcissus' genuine  tears  beelew'd." 
."Carcissus  was  a  beautiful  youth,  who  slighted 
4ie  courtsiiip  of  several  nymphs ;  and,  at  last, 
died  for  tlie  love  of  himself,  he  having  seen  his 
iraaj^e  reflected  in  a  fountain.  His  blood  was 
chauged  into  a  flower,  which  still  bears  his  name. 

"  Lips  by  th'  CEbalian  stripling's  blood  imbued." 
GCbalia  is  the  ancient  name  for  Laconia,  a 
coujitry  on  the  southern  parts  of  Peloponnesus. 
It  received  its  name  from  king  CEbalus,  and  thence 
(El/alidfS  puer  is  applied  to  Uyacintlius,  and 
Qibaliis  sdtigitis  is  used  to  denoniuiatc  his  blood. 
Hyacinthus  was  a  beautiful  boy  j  and  when  he  and 
Apoilo  were  playing-  at  <|U'.Kts,  Zephyrus,  (from 
jealousy  of  the  boy,)  with  a  strong  blast,  carried 
back  a  quoit  iipou  the  liead  of  Hyacinthus,  and 
killed  him.  Apollo  out  of  the  blood  produced  a 
flower,  which  he  called  by  the  same  name. 

Apnllo  was  the  iiivenmr  and  god  of  all  the  fine  arts,  of 
medicine,  nmsic,  poetry,  inil  elimaenre  He  received 
from  Jiipiter  the  power  of  tpowing  fiitu'iiy,  ai.il  his 
oracles  were  in  repute  ihronghi^r.i  the  world  His  ainunrs 
were  numerous,  and  he  3ssun:ed  various  shapes  to  {;ratify 
his  pas.siun. 

ZepluTUF  fiUe  west  wind)  was  said  to  )ir'>'i;ire  flowers 
aod  fmtts  Dy  the  sweetness  at  hia  breatn.  He  had  a 
temple  at  .\tbeii* 


9ECUNDUS. 


PITH  AL  AMI  UM. 


*•  The  Gnydian  power." 
Gr.iaus,  (more  properly  Cnidus,)  a  city  in  Avis 
Minor,  where  Vt-nus  was  wor.ihiiiDt^ci  as  the  ciiief 
deity. 

"  God  of  the  fatal  bow." 
Cupid,  the  god  of  love,  and  Lore  itself.  Is 
represented  naked  and  wiugcd,  with  a  veil  over 
his  eyes,  and  carrying  a  c|ui>er  upon  his  s'liouldcrs. 
He  holds  a  torch  in  one  hand,  and  a  liow  v.-ith 
darts  in  tlie  olhtr,  wherewith  he  WDumis  the 
hearts  of  lovers.  He  was  worshipped  with  the 
same  solemnity  as  his  mother,  Vcuus. 

"  Nor  Hymen,  thon." 
Among  the  Greeks,  Hymen  was  the  god  of 
marriage  and  of  nuptial  8oleinnitie<;,  at  which  ho 
■was  always  supposed  to  attend.  He  was  the  sou 
of  Apollo,  and  one  of  the  Muses;  hence  the 
alliisioQ  in  the  text  to  the  place  of  bis  birth i 
(b'clicor  ) 

•'  Ui.«r.  the  brow  cf  tur.ff-,*  -nooatain  iorn." 


l^nnc^ris; 


KISSES    OF    DONXEFONJ 


PANCHARIS; 


KISSES    OF    B0XXEF0N3, 


KISS   I. 

Ntmph,  ail  other  nymphs  e\cr\l\:-g. 
Oh  u-liosc  lips,  so  rosy  Ivight, 

All  my  hopes  of  bliss  are  dv\c-!ling, 
Source  of  every  fond  delight. 

Gentle  npuph,  on  whom  is  lavish'd 
Ev'ry  sweet,  enchanting  <^rdce. 

Charms  from  other  beiiuties  ravish'd 
To  adorn  thy  lovely  face. 

While  my  heart,  with  passion  t'lovi'^a 
Calls  thee  loveliest,  deares:,  ''est. 

Wilt  thou,  the  soft  kiss  bestf>wiiis, 
hooth  its  Dams,  and  give  it  rest  f 


n  KISSES  OF 

No,  ah  no !  witlihold  the  blessing'. 

Keep  the  dang'rous  boon  away. 
Lest  its  tlirillinff  touch  increasing 

Bid  the  flame  more  fiercely  prey  I 

But  thy  lips  to  niJne  applying- 

Gently  steal  my  breath  au-ay. 
Till  with  rapture  fainting,  dyin^, 

Ev'ry  pulse  forgets  to  piay. 

No,  ah  tio !  ev'n  that  were  danger. 
And  my  soul  might  wing  her  flight. 

And  be,  dearest  girl,  a  ranger 
In  those  realms  of  endless  night. 

Where,  coiidcnin'd  to  gloom,  and  sadness^ 

Piainlii-e  spiiii.'i  ever  stray; 
Where  love  iic"cr  clieers,  nor  mirth,  nor  gladnesa 

E'er  beguile  the  ling'ring  day. 

Yet  come  !  to  mine  thy  lips  applying 

Steal  mo  from  myself  away. 
Till  with  rapture  fainting,  dying. 

My  soul,  loos'd  frojii  these  bonds  of  clay. 

Hovers  wliere  in  dark  meanders 

Styx  rolls  on  !iis  lurid  tide; 
Where  the  soft  Catullus  wander* 

With  TibuUus  by  his  side. 


BONNEFONS. 

I  too  in  turn  my  lips  applying 
Will  gently  steal  thy  honied  breath. 

Till  thy  soul,  enraptur'd  flying. 
Hastens  to  the  realms  beneath: 

Anil  in  those  brijfht  regions  hovers, 
Wh(Te  so  sweetly,  siJe  by  side. 

Undivided  from  their  lovers. 
Nemesis,  and  Lcsbia  glide. 

For  within  that  realm  of  spirits 
Tend'rest  joys  await  the  blcss'd  ; 

Each  his  former  love  inherits — 
Still  possessing  still  possess'd. 

Tliere,  my  lovely  girl,  I'll  meet  thee. 
Pale,  and  trembling  on  that  •joast, 

And  with  raptVous  kisses  greet  thee. 
Till,  in  silent  wonder  lost — 

E'en  those  bards,  whose  gentle  ir.cascra* 

Tohl  of  bliss,  and  taught  tl-c  way 
Who  o'er  love's  delightful  treasures 

Held  the  undisputed  sway- 
All,  with  one  accord,  shall  hail  us 

Welcome  to  th.-  blisful  grove. 
And  confess  that  none  excel  us 

In  the  tender  aru  of  lovt.. 


NEEDLE  THAT   PRICKED    HIS   MI'TRESSl 


Ah  !  cruel  fiistrumeiit,  declare 
What  coulii  tV.-js  induce  thy  spite 

To  wcuikI  llie  fingers  of  the  fair. 
So  sol't,  so  ilelicatc,  ;t!id  wliile? 

What  crime  was  theirs  that  they  should  bleed. 

And  thou  commit  the  ruthless  deed? 

Inflict  not  thus  the  wanton  smart 

On  them  as  innorenl  as  fair.' 
Go  rather,  and  assail  her  heart. 

And  deeply  sate  thy  venjfeance  there— 
That  cruel  heart  that  will  not  feel. 
Senseless  as  adaiuaut  or  steel. 

For  taught  by  thee  the  sense  of  pain 
^e  may  relent,  though  cruel  ]nng: 

No",   'tis  not  thine,  and  I  in  vain 
Exalt  ihy  feeble  p)wcrs  in  song: 

How  can  thy  fragile  point  assail 

Where  lore's  bright  shafu  could  ne'er  prevail? 


RONNEFONS. 


TO    HIS    lUISTRKSS'S    LAV-DOO. 

jSi.Ks;s'n  IS  th}-  lot,  siinromc!)'  blcss'd, 

AVho  sees  must  C'lvy  thee  ; 
Thus  by  iliitt  if<:iitlt'  hand  c-'iress'J, 
And  foiiiiifil  in  the  rosy  hrcast 

Of  that  fair  (ji.ecii  of  cliastity. 

Diverted  by  thy  artless  play. 

Companion  of  lier  home, 
Witli  tlioc  slie  spcjrts  tlie  live-loPi^  aay, 
And  makes  ihee  partner  of  lier  way 

Wlien  fancy  leads  her  steps  to  roam. 

Her  daily  meal  she  bids  thee  share. 

And,  with  unfoi!,'nV.  delifcht. 
Selecting,  with  attentive  care. 
The  choicest  morsels  for  thy  fare. 
Provokes  tiiy  little  appetite  : 

Then,  when  the  sweet  repast  is  o'er. 
Strives  with  new  joys  to  bless : 


KISSES  OF 

Takes  to  her  fragjant  breast  once  morei 
And  kisses  sweet,  a  balmy  store. 
Her  lips  more  prodigally  press, 

Tlian  lie,  of  such  dcliijV.ts  the  sire. 

From  Lesbia  crav'd  of  old  ; 
Catullii?,  u  iiosa  sweet  soniuiini;  lyre 
Brcath^i  the  soft  notes  of  fond  ticsire, 

And  all  love's  tender  raptures  tuld. 

Bless'd  J?  fny  lot,  supremely  oless'd 

With  h11  love's  stti-.'lest  store'. 
And  is  tliere  wln^se  iiis;-.:iate  breast. 
With  soft  delights  like  tlice  possess''!. 
Would  madly  «-ish,  and  sigh  for  more  ? 

And  yet  t'lierc  is,  by  tlice  enjoy'd. 
E'en  itoils  would  give,  to  share. 
The  spRMtrlM  heaven  in  xvliieh  they  pride. 
Like  thee  to  slumber  by  her  side 
All  the  ni};ht  long,  aud  waiitou  there. 

Sweet  fav'rite,  while  'tis  thine  to  share 

What  all  with  envy  see: 
For  this  lier  kindness,  this  her  care. 
Let  gratitude  reward  the  fair 

With  pleasing,  foud  fidelity. 


BOKNEFONS. 


KISS    IV. 

Unhai,i.o-«''d  was  the  ruthless  deed 
That  made  that  rosy  bosom  bleed. 

Thou  fell,  remorseless  thing  1 
For  there  has  Venus  made  abode. 
And  tliere  the  little  wanton  ^od 

Waves  blithe,  his  goideu  wing. 

Tliou  hast  provok'd,  in  e%il  hour. 
The  wrath  of  each  celestial  pow'r 

On  tliy  unhol;-  head  ; 
Graces,  aiicl  L'.vcs  will  all  combine. 
Insulted  by  this  deed  of  thine. 

And  signal  vengeance  shed. 

But,  oh !  frown  not  on  me,  sweet  fair. 
For  by  those  beaming  eyes  1  swear- 
Eyes  that  i  value  more 
Than  the  dear  light  that  visits  mine. 
And  by  Cythcra's  holy  shrine. 
And  Love"s  almighty  pow'r^ 

lHy  heart  partook  not  of  the  deed 
TLal  made  thy  gentle  bosom  bleed; 


KISSFS  OP 

Ah !  no,  I  only  songht 
To  snatch  one  dear  delicious  kiss. 
But  warm,  and  eager  of  the  bbss. 

My  mouth  the  mischief  wrought. 

Yet  I'll  confess  the  crime  my  owe. 
And  let  my  penitence  atone 

For  the  unhallow'd  deed  ; 
And,  without  murmur,  to  the  weiijht 
Of  punishment,  however  ?reat. 

Bow  down  my  guilty  head. 

Yet,  oh!  frown  not  on  me,  sweet  maid, 
I'was  thy  own  loveliness  betruy'd. 

The  fHult  was  all  thy  own  ; 
Hadst  thou  not  been  so  passing  fair. 
Nor  such  temptations  lur'd  me  ther. , 

The  deed  had  ue'er  been  done. 


TO     HIS     SOUL. 

Why  thuj  fly  to  thy  undoing 
Flutt'ring  to  the  cruel  fair? 

There  thou'lt  meet  with  certain  ruin 
Chains,  ana  oonnaj^e  wail  thee  ther» 


BONXEPONS. 

In  the  lab'rinlhs  of  thy  ringlets 
Love  has  wove  a  subtle  chain. 

Once  entangled  by  thy  winglets. 
None  caa  set  thee  loose  again  t 

Fniitlcss  would  be  each  endearotir. 
Vain  w-ill  all  thy  struggles  be ; 

Thou  must  perish  there,  for  nev»r 
More  cuist  thou  return  to  mr. 

Yet  I  feel  those  eyes,  that  glancinj 
From  those  lids  so  biiglitly  play. 

Like  beuitcliiiig  spells  entrancing. 
Lure  thee,  foolish  tkuig,  away 

From  my  heart  I  feel  thee  flying 
To  that  lip,  and  bosom  fair ; 

There  in  bliss  thou  woaldst  be  lying. 
But  of  those  bright  locks  beware  1 

Trcach'rcns  are  those  silken  rin^ictr. 
There  destruction  waits  for  ♦l;ie  ; 

And,  entangled  by  tny  winiflei'i. 
Thou  caiiSi  ne'er  return  to  urn. 


AjfD  wt)n!dst  thou  hare  me  hide  the  sTc\.t 
That  thrilU  in  ev'rv  acning  vein, 

>^nd,  with  dissiranUtive  art 
Conceal  from  all  my  intrard  p^n? 

Thoa  know'st  not  what  the  task  would  b« 
Did  fires  like  these  within  thee  prey; 

Xo,  not  all  thy  philosophr 

Could  charm  the  orchiu  Lore  away. 

Can  I  then  g-aze  upon  :te  lipht 
Of  eyes  that  fiash  incessant  Src, 

ApU  or.  those  breasts  so  snowr  white. 
Nor  zesi  the  pangs  of  fierce  desire : 

Cr.n  I  behold  each  enbnm  tress 
Tliat  wantons  round  her  lovely  neck, 

Lips  that  were  snrely  made  to  blrss, 
Ar.d  th'  rose  that  blooms  oc  eithpr  ch^ek. 


BONNEFONS. 

Nor  deep.!  e'en  kingdoms  cheaply  lost 
For  one  short  hour  of  rapt'rous  bliss. 

Give  all  that  ever  Ind'  can  boast 
To  snatch  one  dear  delicious  kiss .' 

Perish  the  wTetch  that  could  behold 
Beauties  like  these  with  careless  eye  ; 

To  all  love's  warmer  raptures  cold, 
Unheeded  let  him  live,  and  dis '. 

VThy,  let  the  mother,  if  she  will. 
Watch  careful  of  her  daughter's  fame. 

And  the  dull  husband,  if  he  feel 
Suspicious  of  his  wedded  dame ; 

Though,  whisper'd  by  the  babbling  crown. 
My  name  be  blaz'd  through  all  the  town, 

Talk'd  of  ill  theatres  aloud. 

Or  e'en  to  gaping  rustics  known : 


I  care  not  for  tiie  mother's  fear. 

Nor  shun  the  jealous  husband's  eye; 

Why,  let  them  watch,  and  let  them  jeer, 
I  joy  in  such  publicity. 

So  liv'd  our  rugged  sires  of  old. 
Ere  Care  »eceiv*d  his  cank'rous  birth  i 

Those  years  were  years  of  sterling  gold. 
When  good  old  Saturn  rul'd  the  esitb. 


3  KISSES  OF 

In  all  the  i^low  of  naked  charms 
The  fair  one  grac'd  her  lover's  s^de. 

Nor  trembled  then  with  fond  alarms. 
For  none  was  there  who  dared  divide. 

In  converse  s«ect  their  days  were  pass'd. 
In  gay  dcliijiits  mid  wanton  wiles  ; 

No  clouds  their  hc:ivcu  of  love  o'ertast. 
Nor  fears  disturb  U  their  rosy  smiles. 

Of  dull  decorum's  rigid  rules 
Let  others  boast,  they're  not  for  me  ; 

I  leave  them  to  such  whining  fools: 
This — this  is  life  from  trammels  free ! 

Why  veil  chaste  Love  in  cold  disguise. 
Such  as  he  should  not,  cannot  wear? 

And  why  not  let  her  incense  rise 
At  Venus'  shrine,  and  worship  there  ? 

Is  he  who  rules  where  planets  shine, 
Are  god    tliciiiselvcs  from  failings  free  f 

Lo  I  rhnebus  and  the  god  of  wine, 
And  the  false  Bull  who  cross'd  the  sea 

Jove's  tricks  are  known  when  he  conceal'd 
His  godUead  in  a  swan's  disguise; 

And  Hercules  was  forc'd  to  wield 
His  distp.fl  at  a  woman's  ^oice. 


BONNEl'ONS. 

Come  then,  we'll  revel  blithe  and  free. 

Like  gods,  while  !<!owiiiir  youth  inspires; 
If  they  could  s;n.  then  why  .should  wa 

Blush  to  obey  Love's  tinier  fires ? 


Let  me  Itiss  those  soft  lids,  my  dear  jojr. 
Where  those  glances  bewitchinfjly  playi 

Let  me  kiss  those  bright  tresses  t!iat  vie 
With  the  goil  who  illumines  the  day  1 

Ah  I  wouldst  thon,  ungrateful,  deny 
To  thy  poet  so  sliijht  a  request? 

No,  no,  I  can  read  in  thine  eye 
The  denial  was  only  in  jest. 

Thou  wouldst  be  bat  provokingly  coy. 

And  seem  to  deny  it  to  me  ; 
With  refusal  enhance  the  sweet  joy,- 

Aud  tempt  me  to  s';-.'  \  U  ir^m  (Lte. 
6  '2 


94  KISSES  OP 

Then  thus  in  my  arms  w-ill  I  fold  thee. 
Thus  circle  that  white  nccl<  of  thine; 

Tlius — thus  to  my  bosom  I'll  hold  thee— 
And  thu:>  press  those  moist  lips  to  mine. 

Thou  mayst  pout,  and  look  gloomy,  and  threat  i 
Anii  sti-u^i;le  to  friiard  llic  dear  bliss; 

With  scratches,  anil  piiichi-s  beset  me. 
While  I  snatch  away  "kiss  after  kiss. 

I'ti  fear  not  the  threats  thou  mayst  make, 
And  laugh  at  each  fruitless  endeavour; 

In  my  arn.s  the  more  firmly  I'll  take, 
And  kiss  thee  still  closer  than  escr. 

Oil  1  dearer  to  me  are  the  joys 

That  spring  from  sweet  strugcfles  like  theie« 
For  we  deem  it  no  longer  a  prize 

If  we  can  enjoy  when  we  please. 

Then,  oh!  woiildst  Ihou  heigliten  the  bliss, 
Tiius  ever,  my  Paiicharis,  fly  me ; 

Tbu5,  thus  :et  >;ie  suac'jii  the  stveet  siss. 
Thus  c\  t;r  resisit,  aud  cetif  me. 


BONNEFONS. 


KISS    VIII. 

Tiiotr  !irt  sweet,  yet  with  bitter  alloy 
TV.nt  sweetness  is  miiii;!--"!  in  tkee. 

Anil  tliou  Hrt  an  objeel  of  j-jv 
As  well  as  ilisquict  to  me. 

To  me  thou  art  iiUp  the  fair  star 
That  beams  when  Aurora  is  liich. 

But  clianircs  its  name,  when  nU^i.t's  csr 
Is  gloomily  roll"'!  up  on  hiyh. 

niou  art  lijrlit  .-'s  when  morn  be^ir.-:  .-ibove. 
Vet  dark  as  wtien  d.iylicht  hath  passM; 

Antl  now  thou'rt  my  liavcii  of  love, 
Is'ow  the  ocean  uu  wliicii  1  am  cast. 

Now  like  hope  ihy  briijht  jlanoes  can  clieer. 
Now  bill  car-'  and  soirow  arise: 

To  me  thou'rt  sur|>.i-?:i!;,';y  'i-.ar. 
And  yet  I  can  hate  and  licsj.ise. 

Thy  faults  and  thy  virtues  to  tell. 
The  .Muse  might  lor  e'c-i  be  inventing. 

Few  words  would  describe  thee  as  well, 
So  lovely,  and  yet  so  tormenting. 


KISS    IX. 

GiTE  r-",  sweet  life,  the  l>iss  that's  rife 
Wit'i  hcnicd  moistare  sweet, 

That  will  assuage  the  fires  that  rage 
With  such  consuming  heat; 

And  with  the  dew  that  doth  imbue 

Thy  lips  so  lubj-  bright, 
Bid  them  all.-.v  the  flames  that  play 

Within  me  day  and  night. 

Ah  I  no,  forbear,  my  gentle  fair, 

I  know  not  what  I  sue; 
Oh!  keep  away  from  me,  I  pray. 

Those  lips  that  would  uudo. 

And  fan  the  fire  of  fierce  desire. 

Till,  glowing  in  iny  heart, 
O'er  all  my  soul  the  torrents  roll. 

Consuming  ev'ry  part. 

Wliy  snatch  from  me  so  hastily 

The  !i|)  that  presses  mine? 
Oh  !  come,  and  pour  the  burninp  showei 

Of  kisses  all  from  thine.. 


BONNEFONS. 

Let  me  expire  by  their  sweet  fire. 
Till,  from  each  burning  l<is.s. 

Like  liim  1  rise,  -vh"  to  the  skis» 
Frcri.  CEta  soar'd  to  bliss. 


KISS    X. 

How  can  two  such  extremes  com'L»nt, 

Dear  naid,  in  tliee  ; 
Tiiat  when  such  sweetness  all  is  thine. 

Sweeter  tlian  sweet  can  be, 
Thv  lips  such  bitterness  impart, 
And  from  thine  eyes  envcnom'd  arrows  i^vtf 

But  when  thou  art  so  bitter  all. 

To  such  (!ci,Tee 
That  all  the  bitterness  of  gall 

Cannot  e'en  equal  thee; 

Why  are  thy  itisses  then  so  sweet. 

And  with  ambrosial  (Jews  thy  lips  replete? 

Why  do  the  glnr.ccs  of  thine  eyes 

Xo  longer  stiii^, 
But  with  each  shaft  that  from  them  fll«l 
Such  g^entle  pleasures  brlr^g  ? 


Is't  in  thr  lips,  I  pr*ytliee,  tell. 
Or  in  tliy  glniiccs  that  such  virtues  dwell: 

Tliat  tlius  at  times  mv  soul  they  bless 

\y\\U  bitter  joy, 
And  now  witli  honied  hittemcss 

Oppress  »!<?  iiid  destroy  ? 
Oh  I   bitterness  too  cloying  sweet; 
Oh!  sweet  will:  too  much  bitterness  replete? 


KISS    XI. 

Ah!  wherefore  is  iliy  lot  soblcss'd. 

Sweet,  pretty  blossom. 

Thus  in  thu  Inmost  folds  to  rest 

Of  thiit  dear,  li<»  e!y  bosom  ? 

Oh  !  were  it  mine  like  thee  to  share 

Tlie  rosy  lieaven  that  lic-anis  so  bri-^hlly  thei* 

Thrice  happy  fl.iw'rct!  not  I'lUe  Ihce 

l-ranquil  1  d  lie, 
But  wand'riiii;  niie('rjsir:;in'<!,  and  free, 

'i'o  all  her  beauties  ily  ; 

And  burning  kisses  o'er  a;:d  o'er, 

Co  ber  fair  neck  and  tender  bosom  pour. 


BONNEFOKS.  K 

Now  rd  intently  gaze  where  rise 

Tliose  hills  of  siio«-, 
Examiiiin;;  with  'uri'.Mis  eyes 

The  fairest  of  the  two; 
And  then,  liy  turns,  from  that  to  this, 
My  playful  lips  bln-jl.!  ruvt,  ami  print  tlie  kis« : 

Then  hiOR  i:ie  in  the  rosy  vale 

That  lies  between, 
And  'twixt  thcni  softly  s'"''''ig  steal 
Where  beauties  blush  unseen; 
There  cv'ry  seeret  eharni  I'll  spy, 
Aid  none  should  'seape  love's  penetrating  eye. 

3ut,  all!  sweet  blossom,  not  for  me 

Are  tUose  dear  joys. 
And  what,  unask'd,  she  gives  to  thee. 

To  nic  she  e"cr  denies  i 
Not  e'en  my  lips  nriy  rl;ire 
1-  lightly  touuh,  or  liaiMls  to  wander  there.' 

While  thou,  untons'/ious  of  the  blessing. 

Lies!  there  unnioVil, 
On  her  <lear  breast  tho.^r  joys  possessing 

Tis  mine  at  distance  to  admire, 
isnd  sigh,  aad  ook,  and  kindle  with  desire. 


KISS    XII. 

Go  thou,  my  heart,  but  s.viflly  go. 

And  tell  tlie  cruel  l.i'r  what  tires 
With  scorchinir  heat  coi'sume  thee  now. 

What  num'rous  griefs,  what  fond  desires 
Tell  her  my  tears,  with  i-easeless  tJow, 

Bedew  my  clieeks,  and  swollen  eyes. 
And  life  itself  becomes  a  woe. 

Nor  finds  relief  in  fruitless  sighs. 

Vet  'midst  those  daily  tears  that  steep 

My  pallid  cheeks,  those  fires  that  g'low 
With  cpuseloss  rage,  and  bid  me  weep 

III  wan  despair  o'er  all  my  woe ; 
Bid  her  the  kind  assurance  give 

She'll  yet  bestow  a  thought  on  me. 
And  hope  again  will  bid  me  live, 

And  peace  return,  and  dwell  with  thee. 


KISS    XIII. 

As  when  some  comet  blazes  in  the  skies 
The  (fatUer'd  people  view  wiih  woudrni^  tj; 


BONNKFONS.  91 

Trembling,  ihey  deem  their  race  already  run. 

And  all  tlie  horrors  of  the  war  begun  ; 

Surprise  and  terror  seize  on  ev'ry  mind. 

Am!  all  foredoom  the  ruin  of  their  kind  ; 

So  when  the  maid,  in  oaz/lini;  beauty  bright. 

As  fair,  as  lovely  as  yon  orb  of  iiKht, 

Bursts  forth  to  view,  all  silently  they  gaze. 

In  admiration  lost,  and  mute  amaze: 

Trcmblini;  they  see,  and  fear  »hat  mischief  lies 

In  tlie  briirht  ijlances  of  her  bcaminsj  eyes: 

In  ev'ry  bosom  throb  these  soit  alarms; 

And  now  they  dread,  and  now  admire  her  charms 

And,  while  their  fear  increases  as  they  view. 

Tremble  to  think  what  ruin  may  ensue. 


KISS    XIV. 

Atpat  '.  for  no  lonirer  I  prize  thee. 
Thy  love  and  thy  beauty  1  spurn  , 

To  the  girl  who  so  prou<ily  denies  me 
I  too  caji  be  proud  in  my  turn. 

Thou  hast  taught  me  to  know  that  'tis  folly 
To  hope  any  more  from  thy  pride, 

Now  I'll  iau;;h,  and  turn  from  thee  as  coolly 
As  thou  when  ray  suit  was  denied. 


12  KISSES  OP 

AwTtr'.  for  nc  k-.iEer  tr.p  muses 

Shall  pour  tlieir  >on  untos  to  thy  praises 

No,  no,  for  tli.:  i^ri  nlio  abases 
Shall  ne'er  win  a  nanie  by  my  lays. 

Go,  herd  \rith  thy  favourite  throes^, 

A  \Tjlgar  and  ig^norant  crc«  ; 
I  should  blush  was  thy  name  in  my  song. 

So,  false  one,  1  bid  thee  adiea ' 

Thou  dost  prouilly  reject,  and  despise  me. 
But  yet  there  is  one  who  will  prove 

7'hcrc  still  beats  a  heart  that  can  prize  me, 
A  heart  that  can  cheri^ih  and  love. 

She  is  lovely,  and  fair  as  the  bIo<:sozn 
T)!at  smiles  v  ho:i  tiie  siin.mer  is  nesr; 

Turilla  will  ttike  to  her  bosom, 
Ar.d  be,  what  thou  «-as  not,  sincere. 

To  her,  while  my  soft  notes  I'm  thrilling-. 
Ana  with  pleasure  she  lists  to  tiic  strain, 

Tliou  wilt  grieve  tUat  thy  place  she  is  dllin^ 
And  sigh  to  pussess  me  agaic. 


BONNEFONS. 


KISS    XV. 

Propitious  chance,  my  frierni,  betray'd 
AVIiere,  like  a  Xaiau  sporting  in  the  -nave. 

My  love,  beneath  the  leafy  shaile 
To  the  cocl,  sparkling  stream  her  beauties  gave; 

Unronscious  of  my  i<aze  she  stood. 
While  all  her  naked  limbs  of  glowinjr  white 

So  sweetly  through  the  lucid  flood. 
With  soft'ned  graces,  struggled  into  sight: 

That  beauteous  neck  was  all  cotrfess'd. 
Fair  as  pale  winter's  garb  of  fleecy  snows; 

And  wildly  the  alternate  breast 
Before  my  view  in  ripe  luxuriance  rose; 

Firm  as  two  little  globes  they  seem'd 
From  Parian  marble  -ihap'd  by  skilful  hands; 

Or  like  t\\';  ruby's  light  they  glcam'd, 
When  fixed  in  gold  the  glitt'ring  jewel  stands:. 

Not  milky  streams  so  purely  Avliite, 
Nor  the  first  snows  that  wint'ry  tempests  bring; 

And  sweetly  tipp'd  witii  rosy  light 
Like  itrawb'rrics  blushing  through  their  leaves  in 
»pricg. 


91  KISSES  OF 

By  turns  tne  varyinj;  colours  spread, 
Mingling  the  lily  with  the  blushing  rose; 

Or  like  the  hues  of  that  V-n^'i:  red 
Which  Tyriaii  purple  e'er  fair  ivory  tlirOM'S. 

Reflected  by  the  lucid  waves 
Her  glow  iiig  beauties  beam'd  with  mellower  liirht ; 

So  seems,  when  in  the  virgin  stream  she  laves 
Her  virgin  form,  the  goddess  of  the  night. 

More  had  I  seen,  but  tlie  rude  bree/e 
Shook  the  dark  foliage  with  its  passing  breath. 

And  startled  by  the  rustling  trees. 
Deep  blushiug  at  herself,  she  piung'd  beneath. 


KISS  xvr. 

An!  wlierefore  flv  sweet  nymph,  why  breathless 

run 
To  shades  and  thickets,  and  ray  converse  shun  ' 
Oh  I  seek  not  shelter  there,  some  clow  n  may  meet. 
And  thy  soft  form  with  ruthless  freedom  treat; 
Clasp  thy  fair  neck,  or  kiss  thy  blushing  cheek. 
And  e'en  thy  fiercest  struggles  prove  too  weak. 


BONNE  FONS.  95 

Thy  truth  I  fear  not.  no  'tis  love  misgives — 
Love  ill  whose  breast  suspicion  ever  lives ; 
U  calth,  youth,  and  vigour  in  these  limbs  combine, 
Glo^v  in  each  pulse,  ami  in  my  features  shine  ; 
Why  then  suspect  that  thou  couldst  yield  those 

charms 
To  some  mean  rustic's  rude,  ungentle  arms. 
Or  to  some  dotard's,  in  whose  pulses  flow 
I/ife's  freezing  currents  languishing,  and  slow. 
Ah  '  no,  though  not  to  please  thee  De  my  fate. 
And  though  thou  shunn'st,  1  feel  thoa  dost  not 

hate. 
Beware,  ye  clowns,  nor  touch  the  maid  I  love. 
Far,  far,  from  her  on  whom  1  <iote  remove ; 
Tiiui-h  not  with  sacrilegious  hands  the  fair, 
Aline,  mine  she  is,  unraanncr'd  clowns,  forbear! 

But  wherefcre  dost  thon  fly,  why  breathless 
run 
To  shades  and  thickets,  and  my  converse  shun  .' 
Yet  fly,  thy  footsteps,  to  affection  true. 
Thro' woous,  thro' wilds,  o'er  deserts  I'll  pursue; 
Swim  the  deep  river,  climb  the  steepy  height. 
Face  ev'ry  danger,  and  pursue  thy  flight; 
E'en  though  the  North  his  utmost  fury  shed 
In  sleety  show'rs  on  my  defenceless  liead  ; 
Ttiough  the  fierce  Uoir-star  rage,  or  frost,  and  sauw 
Arrest  the  ioaiciug  torrents  as  tDey  now. 


DC  KISSES  OP 

These  aave  no  terrors  in  a  lover's  eyes. 
They  but  increase,  and  bid  his  courage  rise. 
And  with  a  willing  heart  he  dares  each  enterprizc. 

Yes,  I  believe  thou  dost  not,  canst  not  hate, 
Atu\  doubt  yet  fear,  would  learn  yet  dread  my  fate; 
Hope  still  persuades  that  'twill  be  mine  no  more 
On  night's  dull  car  my  plaintive  voice  to  pour; 
IS'or  mourn  in  shades,  and  with  my  tale  of  love 
Weary  the  babblini;  echoes  of  each  grove  ; 
No  more  pursue  thy  Hight,  with  trembling  feet. 
Through  winter's  cold,  and  summer's  scorctnng 

heat; 
TCor  keep  my  vigils  wlicn  with  silv'ry  light 
"Ko  friendly  planet  cheers  the  gloom  of  night. 
Oh  I  be  these  ])ast,  the  painful  labour  spare. 
And  cease  thy  cruel  (light,  divinely  fairl 
Scorn  (1  are  my  pray'rs,  unheeded  are  my  cries. 
Oh  1  hapless  fate,  see  still  she  llics,  she  flics 
And  shall  thy  tyranny  be  never  past, 
And  these  thy  torments.  Love,  for  ever  last? 


KISS  xvir. 


While  round  thee  ray  fond  arras  I  t\viiie> 
And  press  my  {(lowing  lips  lo  thine. 


BONNEFONS. 

And  ea^er  of  the  bliss  inhale 

The  balmy  breath's  nectarcous  g^le; 

Lost  ill  the  ccstasic:  of  love, 

I  secin  to  soar  in  worlds  above, 

Anri  seem,  mv  fair  our,  seem  to  be 

E'en  happier  tliar-  divinity. 

But  when,  with  tantalizing  charms, 
Tliou  break  st  from  lbe.<c  encircling  armSj 
Hurl'd  from  those  fairy  realms  of  bliss, 
I'm  pluiii{'(l  to  bell's  profouml  abyss. 
Id  horrors  lost,  ami  deeper  woe 
Than  spirits  in  that  world  below. 


KISS    XVIII 

SiLLT  thin?,  in  search  of  bliss. 
Didst  tliou  dare  n  touch  her  lip. 

And  in  each  !)i.lic!Ous  kiss 
Balmy  dews  of  nectar  sip? 

Tempt  the  svJ'cet  repast  no  more. 
For  in  ev'ry  kiss's  breath, 

While  thou  sipp'st  the  hoaied  storCi 
Deadly  poisons  lurk  beneath. 


KISSES  OP 

Though  the  liquid  ardours  flow 
Swiftly  through  each  vital  part. 

Till  in  ev'ry  pulse  they  glow. 
And  consume  thy  auhiug  heart; 

Still,  unmindful  of  the  past. 
To  her  ruby  lips  thou  fliest. 

And  there  madly  dar'st  to  taste 
Th'  honied  bliss  by  which  thou  diest 

In  those  lips  of  rosy  hue 
Pain,  and  pleasure  mingled  lie ; 

Oh '.  how  sweetly  they  undo. 
By  how  many  arts  destroy. 

Fair  destroyers  of  my  peace. 
Why  so  many  pangs  impart? 

Cease  those  fiery  torments,  cnase. 
And  no  more  distract  my  heart. 

Give  me  sweets,  but  give  them  puret 
\\Ticn  1  seek  the  balmy  kiss 

Let  me  sip,  but  sif  secure. 
Nor  with  tortures  tijnt  the  bliss. 


BONNEFONS, 


KISS    XIX, 


Oh  !  lovelv  are  those  locks  that  stray 

In  rinijlets  o'er  thy  forehead  f^ir. 
Aim!  lonelier  the  bright  eyes  that  play 

So  wnWly  glancing-  here  and  there : 

Oh  I  lovely  are  those  breasts  that  vie 
With  hers  whom  CupiJ  calls  his  mother. 

And  in  their  snow-white  purity 
Seem  to  out-rival  one  another: 

Sweet  are  those  lips  so  ruby  bright, 
Like  twin  rosebuds  in  vernal  weather 

When  their  young  beauties  burst  in  sight: 
Oh '.  thou  art  lovely  altogether. 

Would  that  those  locks  had  lost  their  brightness. 
Those  eyes  tlie  fires  that  in  them  play; 

Those  lips  their  hue,  those  breasts  their  whitenesi 
Aud  thou,  O  thou !  been  far  avi-ay. 

Not  then  my  luckless  glance  had  lighted, 
Aud  gaz'd  upon  the  beauteous  whole; 

Jiot  then  my  peace  had  thus  been  b'Ighted, 
X\or  blank  despaL  l.»ve  tcWl  my  bouI, 
u8 


KISS   XX. 

Yb  pearly  tears,  whose  falling  showers 
Deck  her  fair  cliceks  with  man}-  a  eoin. 

Like  dew-drops  on  the  queen  of  flrwer* 
Ere  the  suu's  light  hath  scatter'd  themi 

Why  'neath  your  Sf  arUlinij  droj.s  ccn  real 
Fires  that  with  sudden  flashes  pUy, 

And,  as  with  silent  course  they  steal. 
Mischief  to  cverj-  heart  convey? 

No,  no,  the  silv'ry  streams  that  flow, 
-And  ulitter  on  tbv  cheeks,  my  fair. 

Cannot  be  tears,  but  fires  that  glow. 
And  dart  their  liashes  ev'ry  where. 

Deep,  deep,  in  cv'ry  vital  part 
By  me  tlieir  thriiline'  force  is  felt; 

Swiftly  tlirou;;li  cv'ry  pulse  they  dart. 
And  my  poor  heart  consume  and  melt. 

What  have  not  lovers  now  to  few. 
If  elements  with  thee  conspire; 

If  flames  commingle  in  a  tear. 
And  fire  t>e  water,  water  txm'. 


BONNEFONS. 


KISS    XXI. 


Au!  wliither  have  ye  led. 

Ye  faithless  messeiii;ers  of  love. 
And  ere  I  could  suspect  betray 'd  7 

Ye  wantons,  what  couid  move 
You  thus  to  fix  my  a<:hii!sf  sight 

On  charms  tliat  beam'd  so  bright. 
That  dazzled  with  excess  of  I'.^ht 

In  gidily  trance  my  senses  lied  away? 

Ye  loo,  as  treacherous  as  they. 
My  feet,  why  ilid  ye  bear  my  weight 

Where  dwells  the  unrelenting  fair. 
To  sue  in  vain  hi-fore  her  K"te, 

And  overcome  with  sorrow  perish  there? 

My  wanton  hands,  why  did  ye  dare 
To  press  those  little  hills  of  snow? 
Instant  through  ev'ry  veia 
The  subtle  poison  ran, 
In  ev'ry  pulse  I  feel  it  throb,  and  glow; 
And  deeply  lodg'd  within  my  heart. 
Twill  burn  forever  there,  acdmock  the  aid  of  art 

On  yau  will  I  avenge  the  wrong. 
And  curb  your  w&utotincsB  t 


103  KISSES  OF 

My  feet,  no  longer  shall  ye  rove. 
For  many  a  cliaiu  secure,  and  strong 

That  restless  spirit  shall  repress. 
And  keep  ye  from  the  fair's  abode. 
You  too  Nvithmauacles  TU  load. 
My  wanton  bands,  and  ye  shall  prove 
The  utmost  my  revenge  can  do  ; 
For  e'er  debarrd  access. 
Ye  never  more  shall  press 
With  wanton  touch  the  charms  that  led  you  thew. 
But,  oh  I  my  faithless  eyes,  for  you 
Vengeance  more  deep  will  I  prepare; 
A  gloomy  covering  shall  confine 
And  veil  ye  from  the  light  j 
Thus  plung'd  in  endless  night. 
Ye  never  more  shall  fix  my  aching  sight 
On  beauties  that  so  dangerously  shine. 


KISS   XXII. 

Ceask,  tormentor,  cease  to  grieve  mej 
Tyrant,  wilt  thou  ne'er  give  o'er, 

Kever  from  these  fires  relieve  me? 
Sighi  but  bid  them  rage  the  iBor»— 


BONNEFONS. 

tan  the  flame,  increase  the  anguish. 
Till  in  ev"rj'  pulse  they  glow: 

With  their  force,  I  faint,  1  languish. 
Cease,  nor  more  torment  me  sol 

flow,  my  tears,  nor  cea":e  your  flowin 

Till  you've  set  my  heart  at  rest ; 
find  to  one  vast  torrent  growing 

Quench  at  once  the  ragiiij;  pest! 
Vainly  is  my  soul  imploring 

Aid  ye  can  no  more  supply; 
For  those  fires,  for  e'er  devouring. 

Every  source,  alas  I  is  dry. 


KISS    XXIII. 

WuEBE  the  wild  woods  were  waving 

RIy  steps  by  chance  were  strayinj;, 
While  the  deceitful  maid,  unseen. 

Many  a  snare  was  laying ; 
As  thoughtlessly  I  rov'd  along 

She  caught  m'^-  heart  so  clever  ; 
Vainly  I  slrovt.  nornets  were  strong, 

Twas  caug  >.;,  Jas  I  for  ever. 


I  KISSES  OF 

Ah  me  !  I  cried,  ungrateful  fair. 

Why  cruelly  deceive  me  ; 
And  with  such  treacherous  arts  ensnare, 

And  of  my  heart  bereave  me? 
I  sii,'h  not  that  'tis  now  with  thee. 

It  is  not  that,  believe  uic  ; 
But  thou  liast  stol'ii  the  lieart  from  me 

Which  1  had  meant  to  give  thee. 


KISS   XXIV. 

TwAS  noon,  and  to  my  fair's  abode 

Jly  pensive  way  I  took. 
When  sudden  from  a  lurid  cloud 

The  fearful  tempest  brohe ; 
The  tliundcrs  roUcl,  the  liirhtning  play'd, 

WlioM,  with  disordtr'd  tharms. 
And  all  a  woMianVs  fears,  the  maid 

Sought  shelter  in  my  arms. 

Save  me!  oh,  save  !  she  wililly  cried. 
And  tlirew  licr  on  my  bre-  st ; 

While  all  a  lover's  arts  I  l-x-':, 
Aug  to  my  bosom  presi'_< 


BONNEFONS.  106 

Dear,  liltle  trembler,  wherefore  fly 

For  safety  to  my  arms  ; 
Au.l  wliile  the  tempest  rolls  on  hiijh 

Thus  shake  with  vaiu  alarms  ? 

Why  wouMst  thou  have  me  shield  thee  here. 

On  this  fc'iut  bosom  laid, 
When  I  alone  have  cause  of  fear. 

And  most  require  thine  aid  ? 
Wore  dan!,''rous  arc  those  bcai)i:ng  eyes. 

There  fiercer  liijhtninffs  i)lay, 
And  the  rude  storm  that  rends  the  skie» 

Less  to  be  fear'd  than  they. 


KISS    XXV. 

Di»r'EiNC  flowers  in  the  wreath  I  send. 

Dear  maid,  unite; 
Their  lines  two  lilonminif  roses  blend. 

The  searlet,  and  the  white: 
In  the  one  thine  eyes  may  trnre 
The  pallid  emblem  of  my  love-sick-face ; 

'y\:  Ot!  ;r's  fiery  lints  portray 
The  heart  that  cruel  love  has  ir.a<!e  his  pre^. 


KISS    XXVI. 

Oh  I  those  eyes  are  bewitchinfily  bright, 

They  glance  but  too  surely  to  kill ; 
And  yet  for  a  while  would  1  borrow  their  light, 

And  brandish  their  fires  at  my  will. 

Would  you  ask  why  such  weapons  I  sue. 

With  mischief  so  heavily  fraught; 
These  fires  would  I  lance,  ray  dear  charmer,  at  yon. 

And  show  you  the  ills  they  have  vvTou^ht. 


KISS    XXVII. 

ON    A.   PICTUKB    OP    HIS    MISTKE'S. 

Bless'd  was  the  limner's  hands  that  bade 

Those  features  on  thy  surface  shine. 
And  with  aciveiit'rous  skill  portray 'd 
That   form,  and  made   thee   what  thou  art, 
divine: 
»^id  heav'u-born  was  the  art  that  mai^i-  thee  bear 
Those  eyes,  and  that  fair  face  that  lave  uo  £i)ual* 
here. 


BOKNEFONS.  107 

\VTiat  though  the  Coan  artist  drew. 

And  Venus  gave  to  mortal  eye, 
A  thousand  such  !is  thee  in  view. 

And  thy  bright  tints  with  his  maysafelv  vie: 
Immodest  beauties  from  his  pencil  shine, 
But  thou  iirt  chasteness  all,  aud  purer  charms  are 
thine. 

What  though  the  huge  Colossus  rears 

Above  fair  Uiiodes  his  towering  height. 
And  on  his  giant  forehead  bears 

The  image  of  you  glorious  orb  of  light; 
A  thousand  suns  in  thee  as  brightly  gleam. 
Those  eyes  are  suns  to  me,  and  shed  as  bright  a 
beam. 


KISS    XXVIII, 

Think  not  those  glancinjf  orbs  of  light. 
That  l^ok  so  fair  and  beam  so  bright 

Are  only  eyes : 
Ah  I  no,  the  lightning's  fiercest  gleam 
Is  centred  in  their  cVry  beam, 
AufI  titence,  on  fatal  mischief  bent. 
Fall  many  a  fiery  shaft  is  sent. 

And  he  that  meets  them  dies. 


KISS   XXIX. 


I  woctD  not  liave  the  girl  I  love 

III  sparkling  gems  array "d  ; 
I  would  not  have  her  proudly  move 

lu  silk^  or  stiff  brocade  : 

No  diamonds  should  adorn  her  head. 

Or  glitter  round  her  neck  ; 
Kor  vile  (.osmetics  idly  spread 

Their  poison  o'er  her  cheek. 

Tlie  modest  look,  »he  artless  air 

Best  heighten  cv'ry  grace  ; 
And  the  pure  blush  lliat  mantles  tbsre 

Sheds  lustre  o'er  her  face: 

The  gnirish  gem,  the  stiffen'd  dres? 

But  spoil  the  easy  mien  ; 
And  art,  while  it  makes  each  htHuty  \eiS, 

Hides  ifraces  better  seeu. 


BONNEFONS. 


KISS   XXX. 


Oh  !  love  is  a  treacherous  boy, 
See,  sec,  liow  the  truant  deceives  me, 

Tliat  she  iovil  iiie  she  swore  by  on  hi^h. 
And  now  for  another  she  leaves  mc. 

How  false,  and  how  faithless  is  woman. 
From  fiint-y  to  fancy  still  ranging; 

Her  heart  can  be  constant  to  no  man. 
But  day  after  day  will  be  changing. 

For  did  she  not  vow,  o'er  and  o'er. 
That  mine  she  would  be,  and  for  ever 

Oh !  did  she  not  swear  by  each  power. 
That  death,  only  death,  shoulil  dissever? 

Tis  not  for  ihn  vows  she  had  plighted. 
Now  sliaiii'jicsslv  broken,  I  si;f!i ; 

That  I  leave  to  tlie  gods  slie  lias  slighted. 
Ana  tbejr  may  avenge  it  on  b'mb. 


ilO  KISSES  OF 

But  thus  to  forsake  him  whose  pride 
Tliou  wast,  on  tliy  beauty  wlio  doted ; 

Leave  him  for  a  soldier's  mean  bride, 
And  fly  from  a  heart  so  devoted— 

The  lieart  ttiat  was  worth  thjr  caressing', 
Whose  pleasure  was  but  to  obey; 

And  that  heart  thou  mitflitst  still  be  possessing. 
Still  proud  to  acknowledge  thy  sway. 

He  may  love,  but  he  will  not,  believe  me, 
Tli'i-i  giury  in  wcarinjf  thy  chain  ; 

Yet  this  bosom,  tliou(;h  thou  couldst  deceit  e  m» 
And  scorn  me,  will  love  tliee  again, 

Ves,  yes,  even  now  "twill  adore  thee. 
And  swear  to  obey  thee  once  more» 

Do  thou  but  consent  to  restore  me 
The  heart  that  tliou  gav'st  me  before. 

If  thou  canst  not  restore  it  afrain, 
An'J  thy  cruelty  will  not  be  mov'd, 

Smile  on  me,  and  spare  tnc  the  pain 
To  think  that  I  cannot  be  lov'd. 


BONNEFONS. 


KISS    XXXI. 

TO    HIS    POEMS, 

Then  go,  since  ye  avail  me  noagh*. 

And  have  betray 'd  a  lover  ; 
^urn  for  the  mischief  ye  h^vc  WTOuj;l-t, 

For  now  ye  cannot  move  her. 
What  would  it  boot,  thoujfh  fame  prolong. 

And  after  ages  read  it, 
If  still  unsoften'd  by  his  song: 

Is  she  for  uhom  he  made  it? 
Go  burn,  for  ye  have  urong'd  my  trutli, 

And  prov'd  my  own  undoing; 
Go,  perish,  like  my  hopes  of  youth. 

In  yonder  6ery  ruin. 

And  yet  ye  were  the  tender  gagt 

Of  love  when  first  beginning; 
And  shall  I,  in  my  senseless  rage, 

Condemn,  without  repining. 
The  verse  that  tells  how  pure  the  finraa 

That  in  my  heart  was  lighted. 
And  still  retains  her  dearlov'd  name 

To  whom  those  vows  were  plighted  ? 


!  KISSES  OP 

No,  no,  thoug-h  ye've  undone  my  yonth. 
And  all  my  hopes  have  perish'd. 

Ye  were  the  pledges  once  of  truth. 
Live  on,  and  still  be  cherisU'd. 


KISS    XXXII. 

Though  the  skjr  be  ocrcast. 
And  the  rain  fall  fast, 
It  will  not  incessantly  ponr; 
Thonfih  the  wild  winds  rave 
0"cr  the  dark-blue  wave. 
Its  face  will  be  smooth  when  the  tempest  is  o'er' 

But  the  show'rs  that  rise 
In  these  tear-swoln  eyes 
Keep  tlowint;,  and  never  will  cease; 
And  still  o'er  my  soul 
Care's  billows  will  roll. 
And  pity's  soft  calm  never  hush  them  to  peace. 

Though  the  wide  vault  of  heaven, 
Br  thunders  be  riven, 


BONNEFONS.  113 

Each  bolt  to  the  earth  will  not  dart; 
But  more  danij'ious  tliaii  they 
Are  the  brijfht  eyes  that  play. 
And  incessantly  pierce  with  their  flashes  my  heart. 

From  his  feast  of  gore 
'J'he  vulture  (jives  o'er. 
To  the  Titan's  keen  pan^s  giving  rest; 
But  by  n:i{ht  and  by  cir.y, 
Love  ne'er  i|uits  his  prey. 
And  still  darts   his  torturing  fangs  through  my 
breast. 

E'en  the  punishinsf  wheel 
Oflxion  stands  .still. 
And  Sisyphus  rests  from  his  stone; 
But  from  rnres  that  molest 
This  heart  knows  no  rest. 
They  still  will  perplex  it,  and  never  have  done. 

Oh!  sad  was  the  light 
Of  the  star  that  ni^ht. 
That  beam'd  at  the  hour  of  my  birth ; 
And  the  heav'ns  lool<'d  down 
With  their  darkest  frown, 
Nor  smil'd  on  the  day  that  produc'd  Die  on  earth. 


KISS  xxxni. 

I  MOCBN  not  that  the  soft  melodious  tone 

Of  thy  sweet  voice  hath,  like  eiichantnieiit,  reft 
My  ev'ry  sense,  or  that  my  soul  has  left 
This  feeble  clay  untenanted,  and  flown 
To  join  in  pleasinif  dalliance  with  thine  own, 
Lur'dfrom  me  by  thy  moist  lips  when  I  quaflfd 
Of  dewy  kisses  the  ambrosial  draught; 
Kor  that  my  foolish  heart  from  me  hath  gone 
To  dwell  with  thee  :  ah  I  no,  I  only  sigh 

To  think  that  when,  with  fast  receding  breath 
In  the  delirious  trance  of  ecstasy, 

My  spirit  hovers  on  the  brink  of  death. 
Twill  not  at  that  dear  moment  wholly  fly, 
Aad  let  me  in  thy  fond  embraces  sweetly  die. 


KISS    XXXIV. 

Faibbst  of  blossoms,  on  whose  lips  the  rose 
Hath  left  its  sweetness,  from  the  wanton 
wreaths 

Or«hose  bright  ringlets,  and  whose  bosom  dowr 
Fragrance  like  that  the  remal  %'iolet  breathes, 


B'-NNEFONS.  lib 

Or  the  od'rous  ghmbs  of  Arsbr  exhale, 
Flinniiif  their  spicy  sweets  on  ev'ry passing  gale: 

Coir.p,  breathe  tliem  from  thy  lips,  and  gently 
press 
On  mine  the  honied  dews  of  many  a  kiss, 
Uapt 'reus,  and  warm  with  love,  and  numbcrle'is; 
Like  young  doves  be  our  interchange  of  bliss, 
And  not  like  her,  the  Roman  maid  of  old. 
Who  counted  the  sweet  store— Oh!   be  not  thaa 
so  cold. 

Come,  dearest,  ^th  thy  smiling  lips  apart 

Pouring  a  show'r  of  kisses  sweet,  then  join 
Them  closer  still,  and  from  thy  inmost  iieart 
Breathe  forth  thy  soul,  and  let  it  mix  with 
mine: 
But  mingle  so  that  never  art  shall  sever, 
And  like  oar  endless  love  be  thus  conjoiu'd  for 
ever. 


KISS    XXXV. 

Tbkx  hear  me,  goddess,  thou  whose  care  beni^ 
GuaHs  watchful  o'er  the  lo^•er's  deslinv. 
If,  uhen  again  in  am'rnus  pi:%i3.aj 


lia  PERVIQILIUM 

On  her  fair  bosom  breathless  I  recline. 

Life  should  forsake  this  feeble  frame  of  mine. 

And  ray  frail  spirit  bursts  her  bonds  of  clay ; 

For  such  may  yet  arrive,  when  slow  decay 
Hath  weaken'd  every  barrier;  be  it  thine. 
Sweet  powT,  to  g^uide  the  disembodied  sprite 

To  thy  fair  mansions,  where  for  ever  reign. 
In  sunny  reg'ions  of  celestial  light. 

Laughter  and  mirth,  and  joy  unmix'd  with  pun 
Thfre,  in  the  i,^reen  recesses  of  the  bless'd, 
LuU'd  in  Elvsian  raptures  let  me  rest. 


PER\^GILIUM    VENERIS. 


All  hail!  thou  dear  delicious  night. 

Ye  silent  hours  of  darkness,  hail! 
Not  day  so  welcome  to  my  sight 
As  the  soft  shadows  of  your  dusky  veil : 

For,  borne  upon  your  raven  wing, 
l/ove,  and  love's  dear  delights  ye  bring'. 
Replete  with  tender  joy; 


And  when  your  friendly  shades  are  near 
The  (firl,  reliev'd  of  half  her  fear. 
Grows  less  severe,  and  coy. 

Now  thou  art  mine. 

And  I  am  thine. 
Now,  now,  sweet  maid,  I  hold  theej 
Now  my  fond  arms  around  thee  twine. 
And  to  my  bosom  fold  thee. 

Now  to  thee  the  joyous  rite, 

Laug;hter-loving  queen,  we'll  pay. 
And  with  raptures  sweet  requite 
The  teasing  cares  of  many  a  dull  delay. 

Why  a  prey  to  torments  leave  me, 

Sweet  seducer,  why  deceive  nie? 

While  in  blushes  o'er  thy  oheeka 

Love  so  eloquently  speaks ; 

Reflected  by  thy  sparkling  eyes 

While  my  aui'rous  wishes  rise; 

Why  not  let  me  fondly  twine 

Round  that  lovely  neck  of  thine. 

And  mouth  to  mouth,  and  lip  to  lip 

Soul-entrancing  kisses  sip  ? 
Still,  to  thy  virgin  fears  a  prey, 

Thou  wouldst  fly  my  circling'  ann». 
And  turn  thy  blushing  cheeks  away, 
While  sweet  confusion  heightens  all  tb^  caarms. 


PERVIGILIUM 

By  those  piercing  orbs  of  light. 
By  those  lips  so  ruby  bright : 
By  thy  cheeks,  and  by  the  hair 
That  wantons  o'er  thy  forehead  fairj 
By  tliose  little  breasts  of  snow 

Where  such  sweet  temptations  dwell. 
And  lil<e  two  gems  tnat  brightly  glow. 

In  all  their  ripe  luxuriance  swell— 
Oh !  spare,  and  leave  me  not  a  prey 
To  the  fierce  fire 
Of  wild  desire ; 
Soon  will  my  spirit  wing  her  way 

Unequal  to  the  strife. 
Unless  thy  balmy  breath  allay. 

And  call  me  back  to  life. 
Aid  me,  thou  rosy  queen  of  joy. 
And  thou,  O  love's  delicious  boy, 
For  raging  now  with  fierce  control 
The  fiery  torments  madden  all  my  suuL 

Thus,  with  fast-receding  breath. 
And  gasping  on  the  brink  of  death. 
In  the  wild  accents  of  despair 
With  many  a  sigli  I  pour'd  my  pray'r. 
To  pity  mov'd,  at  length  the  raaid 

Forgot  her  tender  fears  ; 
Her  cheeks  the  rosy  blubh  o'ersprcntl. 

And  smiling  throujf 'i  her  tt-ats. 


VENERIS.  119 

Thine  will  I  be,  she  sweetly  cried. 

And  threw  her  on  my  breast. 
And  her  moist  lijjs  to  mine  apijlicd. 
And  dewy  kisses  press'd  ; 
Thine  will  I  be,  she  cried,  and  bol  ler  grown. 
Sought  my  fond  arras,  and  press'd  me  in  her  own. 


A  golden  bed 
Beneath  us  spread. 

There  clasp'd  in  many  a  fold. 
While  bashfully  she  strugijled  yet, 

My  arms  the  blusliinir  waiitcai  liold. 
And  lips  by  lips  so  sweetly  met, 
I  revel  in  the  balmy  bliss 
Of  many  a  dear  delicious  kiss  : 
Now  with  her  limbs  my  limbs  entwine. 
My  mouth  to  her's  now  fondly  join  ; 
Then  in  search  of  sweets  I  rove 
To  those  dear  retreats  of  love. 
Where  smiling  Venus  holds  her  cou-.t. 
And  little  Loves  around  her  sport ; 
Those  ruby  lips  where  roses  bloom. 
And  violets  scatter  sweet  perfume: 
There,  while  entranc'd  with  rapt'rons  jo* 

I  snatch  delicious  kisses, 
Vouna;  Love  beholds  with  jealous  eye. 

And  envies  all  my  blisses: 


20  PERVIOILILM 

While  lips  meet  lips  in  melting  ivnae, 
Sueetly  our  miiigliiii;  spintj  join, 
And  lost  in  joyous  dreams  of  ecstasy  we  lie. 

Oh,  h.-ippy  bed  '.  oh,  happy  night ! 
Ye  silent  witnesses  of  dear  delight- 
When  in  my  foud  encircling  arms 
To  my  warm   breast  I  claspd  her  giouing 
charms. 
And  read  within  her  melting  eye 
The  fcture  pleilije  ol  many  a  rapfrous  joy; 

While  lip  met  lip  in  am"rous  play. 
And    sweetly   struggling   snatch'd   the    kisi 
away. 
Til!  limb  with  limb  entwin'd  in  pleasing  trance 
we  lay. 

Avaunt!  ye  tenants  of  the  sky. 

In  thrilling  ecstasy  1  cry; 

Not  all  your  bright  Olympian  bowers. 
Not  rich  ambrosial  dews. 
Nor  nectar's  sparkling  juice. 

Can  yieid  such  dear  del:i;1its  as  ours  ! 

And  while  such  sweets  to  me  arc  given, 

Unenvied  be  your  spangled  heaven; 

Let  but  these  longing  arms  of  mine 

Aruu!:i!  her  beauteous  ueck  euivt  ii;a: 


vrNF.nis.  121 

f*i\ '.  let  me  but  securelr  sip 

The  honey  of  her  ruby  lip, 

Ami  (j'l'e,  with  fond  impassioiiM  eve, 

Uiiim  tliose  tcmicr  brcHsts  tltat  vie  * 

With  hers  uliom  Cupid  calls  liis  mother. 
And  in  llieir  snou-« liitc  purity 

So  su'cetly  rival  one  another: — 
Tlien,  down  the  rosy  vale  that  lies  l»et'.teeii, 
Steal  on  to  lieaiities  yet  unseen. 
Where,  in  silent  ainliusli  laid. 

Sly  Cupid  ({^uards  the  secret  treasure. 

And  the  rosy  queen  ol  pleasure 
Revels  in  the  pleasing  shade. 
Thus  limb  fn  -i  limb  so  foxrlly  twin'd. 
We  (five  to  raj.tur.;  nil  the  mind. 
And  kisses  told  by  thousands  u'er 
On  each  other's  lips  we  pour; 
And,  like  hiHiujj  turtle-doves. 
Interchange  our  rapt'rous  loves. 
Till  breathless  quite 
With  wild  delight. 
On  her  gently  heading  breast. 
In  thrilling  transports  lost,  I  sink  to  balmy  rest. 

^^lc^e,  while  in  pleasing  trance  I  lay. 
And  ev"ry  pulse  forgot  to  play — 
Oh  1  sleep  you  so,  she  sweetly  cried— 
Oh'  sleep  you  so,  and  by  my  side? 


r.':i  PKRVIGILirM  VENERIS. 

And  now  my  hand  she  gently  press'd, 
Xow  lightly  touch'd  my  panting  breust ; 
And  liow  with  manj'  a  dew>'  l<iss, 
Recall'd  my  soul  to  life,  and  bliss. 
I  clasp 'd  her  in  my  arras  once  iiiore. 
And  kiss'd  the  waoton  o'er  and  ""er ; 
From  joy  to  joy  we  swiftly  pas  "d 

Till  fled  the  shades  of  night; 
Morning-  surprisM  our  joys  at  la^t. 

And  pour'd  the  unwelcome  light. 

All  hair,  thou  dear  delicious  night. 
Ye  silent  hours  of  darkness  hail  I 
Ye  harbingers  of  dear  light. 
Welcome,  tnrice  welcome  is  your  shadowy  vA. 


NOTES 


KISSES    OF    BONXEFONS, 


KISS    I. 

•'  Where  the  soft  Catollos  wanders 

With  Tiballas  by  his  side." 
Catnllns,  a  Roman  poet,  whose  compositions, 
elegant  and  simple,  are  the  offspnng  of  a  luxnri- 
ant  iinagination.  Tiballus,  also  a  Roman  poet, 
composed  elegant  love-verses  in  praise  of  his  mis 
tresses.  (See  Neaerea.) 

"Nemesis  and  Lesbia glide." 
The  Greeks  celebrated  a  festival  called  Ncmesia, 
in  memory  of  deceased  persons,  as  the  goddess 
Xeraesis  wm  supposed  to  defend  the  relics  aiid 
ie  memory  of  the  dead,  from  all  insult.  For  an 
account  of  Lesbia,  aes  Notes  to  "  Kisses  of 
Secundus." 


KISS    IV. 

"  Graces  and  Loves  will  all  combiue." 

Ajjlnia,  Tlialia,  and  E-uphrosyiie,  are  the  namei 
of  the  (iraces.  They  are  generally  re  presented 
with  their  bands  joined  together. 


KISS    VI. 
"  Good  old  Saturn  rul'd  the  earth."' 

Satuni  and  Janus  were  the  kings  of  Italy.  Sa- 
turn's reign  was  so  mild  and  |)opular,  so  benefi- 
cent and  virtuous,  that  mankind  have  callei'  it 
the  golden  age,  to  intimate  the  happiness  aiid 
tranquillity  whiuh  the  earth  then  enjoyed. 

"Jove's  tricks  are  known  when  he  concfal'd 
His  godhead  in  a  swan's  disguise; 

And  Hercules  was  forc'd  lo  wield 
His  distaff  at  a  woman's  voice.'' 

Jupiter  (Jove)  was  king  of  heaven  ;  but  nis 
peaceful  reign  was  disturbed  by  the  giants,  ■vUo. 


BONNEFONS.  125 

however,  with  the  assistance  of  Hercules,  ho 
totallyvaiiquished.  Jupiter  assumed  many  shapes 
in  urder  to  ifratify  Ills  passions.  He  ii.troduced 
himself  to  Daiiae  in  a  sliower  of  gold ;  lie  cor 
ruptcd  Aiitiope  in  the  form  of  a  satyr;  and  Lcda 
in  the  form  of  a  swan  ;  he  became  a  bull  to  seduce 
Eurupa;  and  lie  enjoyed  the  company  o(  JEtr'.ua 
in  the  form  of  a  flame  of  fire.  He  was  the  father 
of  the  Graces,  the  Seasons,  and  the  Muses. 

Hercules  was  doomed  by  his  father  to  be  sub- 
ser.ient  to  his  mother,  which  natural  ritjht  she 
cruelly  exercised.  She  imposed  upon  him  the 
most  danjjerous  and  uncommon  enterprises,  well 
known  by  the  name  of  the  twelve  labours  of 
Hercules.  The  fifty  daufrlncrs  of  the  kint,'  of 
Tlii'spis  became  mothers  by  Hercules,  durinn  hi* 
stay  of  fifty  days  at  Thcspis,  though  some  say  it 
was  all  cEfected  in  one  niglit. 


KISS    IX. 
"From  CEta  soarM  to  bli'^s." 

<Eta,  a  celebrated  mountain  between  Thessaly 
t'.-.'-.  Macedonia,  upon  which  Hercules  burnt  bim 


KISS    XV. 

"  WTiere  like  a  Naiad  sportiug  in  the  wave."' 
Naiades,  certain  inferior  deities  who  presided 
over  rivers,  springs,  and  fountains. 


KISS    XXVII. 

*'^^"hat  though  the  Coan  artist  drew." 
Apelles  was  the  celebrated  painter  of  Cos.  He 
lired  in  the  age  of  Alexander  the  Great,  and  was 
in  great  favour  with  him.  He  painted  a  naked 
Vtnus  rising  out  of  the  sea.  He  alf=o  painted  a 
uicture  of  Alexander,  which  the  king  did  not 
approve  of;  a  horse,  however,  passing  by  neighed 
at  the  horse  in  the  piece,  when  the  painter  ob- 
scr%-ed,  "  One  would  imagine  that  the  horse  is  a 
better  judge  of  painting  than  your  majesty." 

"  What  though  the  htige  Colossus  rears." 

Colossus,  a  celebrated  brazen  image  at  Khodes ; 

one  of  the  seven  wonders  of  the  world      It  wag 

lui  feet  high,  and  every  thing  in  equal  prouoi lion, 

fchjps  have  passed  full  sail  between  its  legs. 


B0NNEP0N3. 


KISS   XXXII. 

"  Of  Ixion  stands  still 
And  Sisyphus  rests  from  his  stone." 

Jnpiter  took  Ixion  up  into  heaven,  where  the 
latter  would  have  ravished  Juno;  but  Jupiter 
formed  a  cloud  in  her  shape,  on  which  Ixion 
begat  the  Centaurs:  (half  men  and  half  horses.) 
Ixion,  for  boasting'  he  had  been  with  Juno,  was 
cast  down  to  hell,  where  he  was  tied  to  a  wheel 
in  perpetual  motion. 

Sisyphus  was  condemned  in  hell  to  roll  to  the 
top  of  a  hill  a  large  stone,  which  had  no  sooner 
reached  the  summit,  than  it  fell  back  into  the  plain 
with  impetuosity,  and  rendered  his  punishment 
eternal.  Various  causes  have  been  assifjned  for 
this  rigorous  sentence;  the  more  favoured  opi- 
nion, however,  is,  that  he  received  permission  to 
revisit  the  earth  to  punish  his  wife  for  Iiaving 
buried  his  body,  but  that  he  violated  his  enifage- 
ment,  and  therefore  was  doomed  to  en»Iless  lauuuz 


IXtsscs: 


TAR  10  us     AUTTIOB3. 


KISSES: 


VARIOUS     AUTHORS. 


As  many  stellar  eyes  of  light 

As  through  the  silent  waste  of  night. 

Gazing  upon  this  world  of  shade. 

Witness  some  secret  youth  and  maid. 

Who,  fair  as  thou  and  fond  as  I, 

In  stolen  joys  enamour'd  lie! 

So  many  kisses,  ere  1  slumber,' 

Upon  those  dew-bright  lips  I'll  number' 

So  many  vermil,  honied  kisses. 

Envy  can  never  count  our  blisses. 

No  tongue  shall  tell  the  sura  but  minei 

No  lips  shall  fascinate  but  thine' 


KISSES. 


X.OX6BPfBBBS. 


Flt,  my  belov'd,  to  yonder  stream. 
We'll  plunge  us  from  the  iiuoiitidc  beaai 
Then  cull  the  ro>e's  haniid  bud. 
And  dip  it  in  our  Kolilet'ii  6ood. 
Our  ags  of  l»li>s,  my  iirnipli,  shall  (If, 
As  sweet,  llioujfh  passing  as  that  si)fh. 
Which  seems  to  whisper  o'er  your  iip, 
"  CoMie,  while  you  niav,  of  rapture  sip!" 
For  age  will  steal  the  rosy  fonn, 
And  chill  the  pulse  which  trembles  warmt 
And  death — alas',  that  hearts,  which  thrill 
Like  yours  aud  miue,  should  e'er  be  stilL 


III. 

T.    MOO  RK. 

Take  back  the  sigh,  thy  Iip«  of  art 

In  pa.s.sion°s  moment  brcalh'd  to  me 
Yet,  no — it  must  not,  will  not  part, 
Tis  now  the  life-breath  of  my  heart. 
And  has  become  too  pore  for  thee. 


KISSFS.  13 

Take  back  the  kiss,  that  faithless  sigh 

With  all  the  warmth  of  truth  imprest; 
Yet,  no— the  fatal  kiss  may  lie. 
Upon  thy  lip  its  sweets  would  die. 
Or  bloom  to  make  a  rival  blest. 

Take  back  the  vows  that,  night  and  day. 

My  heart  rcceiv'd,  i  thouglit,  from  thiuej 
Yet,  no — allow  them  still  (o  stay. 
They  might  some  other  heart  bctrajr. 
As  sweetly  as  they've  ruiu'd  miue. 


IV. 
(From  the  German.] 

Thk  kiss  that  you  prcss'd  on  my  lip 
Has  but  kindl'd  more  fiercely  the  fire 

And  e'en  i;ods  'midst  tlieir  raptures  would  weep 
Did  they  burn  as  1  do  with  desire: 

For  scarce  had  my  soul  felt  the  bliss 

When  you  left  me  to  mourn  that  't  was  given 

Is  this  to  impart  the  sweet  kiss. 
The  nectar  they  boast  of  in  heaven? 


No,  no ;  p.h '.  believe  me,  't  is  merely 
To  sharpen  the  stiiijfs  of  desire, 

And  make  nie  but  feel  more  severely 
The  tortures  by  which  1  expire. 

So  feels,  when  thirst  parches  his  lip. 
The  traveller  to  whom  rustics  tcU 

Of  the  cool  sparkling  stream  he  may  sip^ 
Yet  refuse  him  access  to  the  well. 


As  dancing  o'er  the  enamell'd  plain. 
The  flow'ret  of  the  virgin  train. 
My  soul's  Corinna  lightly  play'd. 
Young  Cupid  saw  the  graceful  maid; 
He  saw,  and  in  a  moment  flew. 
And  round  her  neck  his  arms  he  threw; 
And  said,  with  smiles  of  infant  joy, 
"Oh!  kiss  me,  mother,  kiss  thy  boyl" 
Unconscious  of  a  mother's  name, 
The  modest  virgin  blushd  with  shame 
And  angry  Cupid,  scarce  believing 
That  vision  cojM  be  so  deceinng. 


KISSES. 

Thus  to  mistake  his  Cyprian  darae, 
The  liitle  infant  blush'd  with  shame. 
"Be  not  ashain'il,  my  boy,"  1  cried. 
For  I  was  linif'ririsf  by  his  side ; 
"  Coriiina  and  thy  lovely  mother. 
Believe  mc,  are  so  like  each  other. 
That  clearest  eyes  are  oft  hetray'd. 
And  lake  thy  Venus  for  the  maid." 


VI. 

T.    MO  ORE. 

Behold,  my  love,  the  curious  gem 
Within  this  simple  ring  of  gold  ; 

Tis  hallow'd  by  the  touch  of  them 
Who  liv'd  in  classic  hours  of  old. 

Some  fair  Athenian  girl,  perhaps. 
Upon  her  hand  this  gera  display'd. 

Nor  thought  that  time's  eternal  lapse 
Should  see  it  grace  a  lovelier  maid. 

Look,  darling,  what  a  sweet  design. 
The  more  we  gaze,  it  charms  the  more: 

Come, — closer  bring  that  cheek  to  mine, 
And  trace  with  me  its  beauties  o'er. 


}  KISSES. 

Thou  seest  it  is  a  simple  youth 

By  some  cnamoiir'd  iiyinph  embrac'd 

lyook,  Xea,  Ijve,  aud  say  in  sootli 
Is  uot  her  liarni  most  dearly  plac"d  .' 

Upon  his  curled  head  behind 
It  seems  in  careless  play  to  lie. 

Yet  presses  tjently,  haU  incliu'd 
Tc  bring  his  li{i  >f  nectar  nigh. 

Oh  I  happy  maid,  too  happy  boy; 

The  one  so  fond  aii.l  faintly  loth. 
The  other  yielding  slow  to  joy — 

Oh ;  rare  indeed,  but  blissful  both. 

Imagine,  love,  that  I  am  he, 

Auil  just  as  warm  as  he  is  chilling; 

Imagine,  too,  rfiat  thou  art  she. 
But  quite  as  cold,  as  she  is  willing: 

So  may  we  try  the  graceful  way 

In  which  their  gentle  arms  are  t^riu'd. 

And  thus,  like  her,  my  hand  I  lay 
Upon  thy  wreathed  hair  behind: 

And  thus  I  feel  thee  tireathiiig  sweet. 
As  slow  to  mine  thy  head  1  move; 

And  thus  our  lips  together  meet. 
And— thus  I  kiss  thee— oh,  my  love' 


SAPPHO. 

HiT<iF.n,  Venus!  queen  of  kisses, 
This  sUall  be  llie  iiijci.t  of  blisses ; 
Tliis  tlie  iiiglit,  to  trieiiilslii()  dear, 
Thcu  shiilt  be  our  Ilebe  here. 
Fill  the  ijohien  briiniiier  high. 
Lei  it  spurkle  like  thine  eye; 
Bid  the  rosy  eurtcnt  ^ush. 
Let  it  lUHntlc  like  thy  ulush, 
Venus!  hast  thou. e'er  above 
Seen  a  feast  so  ricli  in  love? 
Not  a  soiil  that  is  not  mine' 
Kot  a  soul  that  is  not  thine' 


VIII. 

M0SCBC8. 

Ox  him,  wlio  the  haunts  of  my  Cupid  can  show, 
A  kiss  of  the  tenderest  stamp  111  bestow; 
But  he,  who  eaii  brinj;  me  the  wanderer  here, 
iShall  have  somcthuig  more  ta^t'ioaa,  somelhia^ 
mote  dear. 


[From  the  French.] 

Whub  you  incline  that  neck  of  sno'V 
To  ev'ry  kiss  mv  lips  bestow, 
And  in  those  passion-beaming  eyes 
Such  inexpressive  meaning  lies. 
Knraptur-'d  by  the  kindling  g^lance 
My  soul  dissolves  in  am'rous  trance. 
And  on  your  gfently  heaving  breast 
Exanimate  I  sink  to  rest. 

But  when  our  lips,  in  wanton  play, 
So  sweetly  kiss  for  kiss  repay. 
And  from  that  Immid  panting  lip 
Such  sweet,  such  balmy  dews  I  sip. 
As  bathe  the  newly  op'ning  flower 
That  blooms  in  some  ambrosial  bower, 
'Midst  heavenly  scenes  I  seem  to  rove. 
And  taste  the  nectar'd  feasts  of  Jove. 

If  thus,  my  Fulvia,  you  can  fire. 
And  melt  my  sotil  with  w  arm  desire. 
And  bid  me  prove  in  every  kiss 
The  dumrait  of  celestial  bliss, 
Why  then  deny  with  cruel  charms 
To  crown  at  ouce  ray  longing  arms. 


KISSES. 

And  when  my  sou!  in  joy  would  live 
Embitter  ev'ry  sweet  you  s^ive? 
Is't  that  you  fear  lest  in  that  hour 
My  soul  imbibe  celestial  pow'r. 
And  from  your  fond  embrace  I  rise 
A  ^od,  and  seek  my  native  skies. 
And  all  that  once  delighted  shun 
'I'd  roam  Elysium's  bowers  alone? 

My  more  than  life,  my  only  care. 
Oh !  cease  that  vain,  that  foolish  fear; 
\\Tiere'er  those  beaming  eyes  of  thine 
With  soul-entrancinir  lustre  shine. 
There  too  shall  my  Klysium  be. 
And  that  be  more  than  heav'n  to  me. 


X. 

Come  hither,  and  sjive  me  moist  kisses. 
Dear  (jirl,  such  as  none  ever  gave '. 

What,  wouldst  thou  then  number  my  blisses. 
And  a'ik  me  how  many  I'll  have? 


40  KISSES. 

As  well  might  you  have  me  tell  over 
The  waves  when  in  oteHn  they  roar. 

Or  the  sliclls  that  lie  scatter'd,  and  cover 
The  sands  on  the  surge-beaten  shore; 

Or  the  bees  that  on  Hybla  are  winging 
From  blossom  to  blossom  their  flight  j 

Or  the  shouts  of  the  mob,  when  their  ringing 
Applause  greets  their  emperor's  sight. 

I  know  not  the  number  of  kisses 
That  Lesbia  was  ask'd  for,  or  gave 

But  sure,  who  can  number  his  blisses 
Caa  uever  have  many  to  crave. 


XI. 

IIUKST. 

Wrbn  my  fond  lips  weuld  snatch  the  kiss 
My  eyes  with  envy  view  the  bliss, 

And  fear  to  lose  those  charms  on  wliieh  they  dwell 
And,  oh  1  whene'er  I  strive  to  raise 
My  eyes  to  you,  and  fondly  gaze. 

At  once  my  lips  the  vain  attempt  reseL 


KISSES. 

Such  are  the  charms  j-onr  lips  display. 

So  tempt  me  \rith  their  rosy  hue. 
As  steal  the  magnet's  force,  so  they 

At  ouce  attract  my  lips  to  you. 
Thus,  beauteous  tyrant,  you  control. 
Thus  steal  me  from  myself,  and  sway  my  a 
soul. 


SATAOZ. 

Hafpt  the  man  who  in  thy  sparkling  eyes 
His  amVous  wishes  sees  reflecting  play; 

Sees  little  laughing  Cupids  glancing  rise. 
And  in  soft  swimming  languor  die  away. 

Still  happier  he  to  whom  thy  meanings  roll. 
In  sounds  that  love,  harmonious  love  inspire 

On  his  charm'J  car  sits  rapt  his  list'ning  sou'. 
Till  admiration  form  Intense  desire. 

Hal/  deity  is  he  who  warm  may  press 
Thy  lip  soft  swelling  to  the  kindling  kiss; 

And  niav  that  lip  assputivc  warmth  express, 
Till  love  draw  willing  love  to  anient  bliss 


142  KISSES. 

Circling  thy  waist,  ana  circled  in  tliine  arras, 
Who,  melting  on  thy  mutual  melting  breast, 

E;itraiic'd  enjoys  love's  whole  luxurious  charms 
i»  all  a  god;— is  all  of  heav'a  possess'dl 


T.    MOORE. 

SwiEETLT  you  kiss,  my  Lais,  dear! 
But,  while  you  kiss,  1  feel  a  tear 
Bitter,  as  those  when  lovers  part 
In  mystery,  from  your  eye-lid  start ; 
Sadly  you  lean  your  head  to  mine. 
And  round  my  neck  in  silence  twine. 
Your  hair  along  my  bosom  spread. 
All  humid  with  the  tears  you  shed! 
Have  I  not  kiss'd  those  lids  of  snow? 
Yet  still,  my  love,  like  founts  they  flow. 
Bathing  our  cheeks,  whene'er  they  meet- 
Why  is  it  thus?  do  tell  me,  sweet! 
Ah!  Lais,  are  ray  bodiugs  right? 
Am  I  to  lose  you  ?  is  to-night 

Our  last go,  false  to  heav'n  and  me. 

Your  very  tears  are  treachery. 


PO.VTANUS. 

When  thy  clos'd  lips  the  joyless  kiss  impart. 
Nor  thy  warm  breath  comes  glowiug  from  thy 

heart, 
A  somethiaif  saddens  all  my  soiil,  I  feel 
E"en  on  my  lips  the  silent  kiss  grow  chill; 
But  when  thy  swcllinj.'  lips  reply  to  mine. 
And  my  warm  spirit  flies  to  mix  w-ith  thine. 
My  pulses  fail,  sense,  stren^h,  and  colour  fly. 
And  pale,  and  breathless  in  thine  arms  I  lie. 
Come,  kias  me  close,  and  with  each  glowing  kis» 
O  let  our  spirits  mingle  into  bliss! 
But  leave  no  space  through  which  my  soul  can  fiy. 
Lest  in  thy  circling  arms  thy  lover  die. 


XV. 

PiATO. 

Whbkk'sr  thy  nectar'd  kiss  I  sip. 
And  drink  thy  breath,  in  melting  twin*. 

My  soul  then  flutters  to  my  lip. 
Ready  to  fly  and  mis  with  tbine. 


T.     M  O  O  R  K  . 

The  kiss  that  she  left  on  my  lip. 
Like  a  dew-drop  sliall  liligrcriiig  llf  » 

Twas  ticctar  she  j;ave  me  tu  hip, 
T.viui  nectar  I  drauk  in  her  sigh. 

The  dew  th.»t  distilld  in  that  liiss. 
To  iiiy  soul  was  voluptuous  wine; 

Ever  since  it  is  drunk  with  the  blis«. 
And  feels  a  delirium  divine. 


xvn. 

(From  (he  Italian.] 

Tht  bee  sips  honey  in  each  fiow'rpt's  bell. 
Thence  bearing  tempers  in  her  waxen  cell; 
Whence  man  prepares  the  rich  Metheglins  .iuice^ 
And  gods  their  sweet  nectareousdrauijlits  product. 
But  on  thy  lips  liauff  sweeter  dews,  my  fair. 
Bees  seek  in  tiouers,  but  I  find  honev  there; 
Tliere  Venus  spreads  ambrosia  to  my  taste, 
And  she  alone  can  yield  the  sweet  re(iajit. 


•  ▲NNA.ZAB. 

Ohl  jfive,  when  I  ask  thee,  as  many  sweet  kisses 

As  fair  Lcsbia  gave  to  her  jioet  of  yore. 
Till  not    e'en   the  stars    shall   out-number  our 
blisses. 
Or  sands  that  are  spread  on  the  surge-beateu 
shore. 

Let  their  sums  be  as  countless  as  leaves  tliat  are 
playing 
On  the  forest's  g^een  boughs  when  the  sunniior 
is  near, 
Or  the  hues   of  the  field   when,  with   flo-.v'rets 
arraying 
Its  bosom,  spring  breathes  her  warm  gales  oa 
the  rear: 


fir  the  fishes  that  swim  in  the  ocean's  deep  oosom, 
Or  pillions  that  beat  the  wide  vault  iii  their 
flight; 
Or  the  bees   that,  still  roving  from  blossom  t« 
blossom. 
Collect  tbeir  sweet  treasure*  oy  morn  «  earljr 
Utiht. 


!46  KISSES. 

l[  these,  my  dear  maid,  by  thy  bounty  be  ^i^'^Ui 

As  countless,  and  sweet  as  thy  lover  demands. 
For  them  would  he  spurn  all  the  raptures  of 
heaven. 
And  the  nectar  that  sparkles  in   Ganynieae's 
hands. 


Aa !  canst  thou,  cruel  nymph,  sappose 
One  kiss  rewards  thy  am'rous  youth  f 

Enough  rewards  Dis  tender  woes. 
His  long,  long  constancy  and  truth  ? 

Think  not  thy  promis'd  kindness  paid 
By  simple  kissing; — for  the  kiss 

Is  but  an  earnest,  beauteous  maid, 
Oi  more  substantial  future  bliss. 

bweet  kisses  only  were  design'd 
Our  warmer  raptures  to  improve; 

Kisses  were  meant  soft  vows  to  Dind 
The  honied  seals  ol  mutual  love. 


Ars  kisses  all.' — tliey  bat  forerun 
Another  duty  to  be  done  : 
What  wcnki  you  of  tliat  jiiinstrel  say. 
Who  tunes  his  pipe,  and  will  not  play? 
Say,  what  are  blossoms  in  their  primes 
That  ripen  not  in  harvest  time  ? 
Orwhat  are  buds  that  ne'er  diselose 
The  long'd-for  sweetness  of  the  rose  j 
So  kisses  to  a  lover's  guest 
Are  invitations,  not  the  feast. 


XXI. 

Come,  press  my  lips,  and  I  will  press 

Those  humid  lips  to  mine. 
And  with  these  wreathing  arms  careM 

That  Lais  form  of  thine. 

Around  that  rich  expansive  scene. 

Which  all  my  soul  inspires, 
rU  tu-ine  my  arms,  ami  bask  betweCB 

Those  hills  till  love  expires. 


1  KISSES. 

O :  who  would  wish  to  cling  to  life 

If  woman  were  not  in  it  ? 
O :  who  would  bear  its  endless  strife* 

Without  tier  smile,  a  minute? 

Give  bat  to  me  her  sunny  smile. 

Her  liquidj  balmy  kiss  ; 
Aiid  though  in  torment  all  the  while. 

To  me  it  would  be  bliss. 

But  without  her,  all  dull  and  drear 
Are  Pleasure's  sweetest  bowers  ; 

And  without  her  the  groves  are  sear. 
And  drooping  all  the  flowers. 

She  gives  to  Nature's  widest  range 

Its  most  prolific  heat; 
And  without  her,  the  scene  would  change. 

And  heaven  be  incomplete. 

But  then  of  all  the  darling  race. 
There's  none  I  love  like  thee ; 

For  thou  hast  got  the  prettiest  face. 
The  wannest  heart  for  me. 

And  when  we  meet,  it  seems  as  thoug^h 
There's  none  conld  love  so  well, 

VS'hr.«e  tearts  could  feel  so  warm  a  gl*w. 
Or  witb  such  rapture  swell. 


K  I  S  S  K  S 

For  in  the  maze  of  bliss  we  taste 

Of  every  dear  delight. 
And,  planning  schemes  of  rapture,  waste 

The  long  and  feverish  night. 

Till  both  exhausted — both  undone— 

We  turn  aside  and  say: 
"  How  swift  the  midnight  hours  have  rvia 

To  meet  the  morning  ray." 

But  ere  the  morning  ray  appear. 

Well  turn  to  love  again ; 
And  every  kiss  shall  be  sincere. 

And  uot  a  kiss  in  vain. 


BEN    JONSOIV. 

Fob  love's  sake  kiss  me  once  again, 

I  long,  and  shonld  not  beg  in  vain. 

There's  none  to  spy  or  see ; 

Why  do  you  doubt  or  stay 

I'll  taste  as  lightly  as  the  bee, 

Tliat  dotti  but  touch  his  flower,  aiid  liy  aA'4; 


M  KISSES. 

Once  more,  and,  faith,  I  will  be  eones 
Can  he  tlsat  loves  take  less  t)jan  one? 
Nay,  you  may  err  in  tliis. 

And  all  your  bounty  WTOn^: 
This  couM  be  calld  but  half  a  kisss 
What  we  're  to  do  but  once,  we  should  do  long. 

I  will  but  mend  the  last,  and  tell 
Where  now  it  would  have  relish'd  well; 
Join  lip  to  lip,  and  try 
Each  suck  otiier's  breath; 
And  whilst  our  tongues  perplexed  lie. 
Let  who  will  think  as  dead,  or  wish  our  death. 


XXIII. 

Whbn-  beauteous  Lesbia  fires  my  melting'  sonl, 
(She  who  the  torch  and  bow  from  Cupid  stole,) 
By  many  a  smile,  by  many  an  ardent  kiss, 
And  with  her  teeth  imprints  the  tell-tale  bliss. 
Thro'  all    my  frame    the    madd'iiing    transport 

glows. 
Thro-  every  vein  the  tide  of  rapture  flows. 
As  many  stars  as  o'er  heaven's  concave  shiae. 
Or  cia»:er»  as  adorn  the  fruitful  vine. 


KISSES.  1 

So  many  Wandisliments,  roluptuous  joys, 
T'  intlamc  my  breast  tlie  wily  ma'ui  employs. 
But  dearest  Lesbia,  g:cntle  mistress,  say, 
Why  tlius  d'ye  wound  my  lips  in  am'rous  play? 
Witli  kisses,  smiles,  and  ev'ry  wanton  art. 
Why  raise  tlie  burning  fever  of  my  heart? 
Let  us,  my  love,  on  yon  soft  couch  rcclin'd. 
Each  other's  arms  around  each  other  txnn'd. 
Yield  to  the  pleasing  force  of  sttong  desire. 
And,  pantinif,  struijjjlin;^',  both  at  once  expire. 
For,  O  my  Lesbia!  sure  that  death  is  sweet 
Which  lovers  iu  the  fond  contention  meet. 


Whbw  o'er  the  vir^n  cheek  we  meet 
Health's  tender-blooming  roses  spread. 

To  kiss  those  roses  may  be  sweet. 
To  kiss  them  on  their  native  bed. 

Full  well  experienc'd  lovers  know. 
And  chief  the  few  who  blissful  barn, 

That  kiss  is  lifeless  we  bestow 

On  charms  thai  yield  no  kind  return. 


I  KISSES. 

But  sure  those  kisses  breathe  delight, 
Where  love  the  sweetly-vengeful  dart. 

Exchanges,  while  fond  lips  anile. 
Lips  echoing  soft  as  kisses  part. 

\^'>ien  one  warm  wish  inflames  the  pair. 
Not  less  endearing  kisses  prove ; 

Each  gives,  each  takes,  an  equal  share. 
Sweet  interchange  of  sweetest  love. 

Kiss  the  dear  lip,  the  swelling  breast. 
The  snow-white  hand,  the  forehead  kiss! 

Tis  by  the  lip  the  joy's  express'd, 
*Tis  the  kind  lip  repays  the  bliss. 

When  lovers'  lips  in  transport  join. 
Their  souls  to  share  that  transport  fly. 

And,  as  their  mingling  breaths  combine. 
The  purple  gems  with  life  supply. 

Then  each  inspired  kiss  imparts. 
In  sounds  half-utter'd,  half-suppress'd. 

The  tender  secrets  of  their  hearts. 
Secrets  to  lips  alone  confess'd. 

Where  soul  is  thus  with  soul  entwin'd. 
The  living  rapture  is  improv'd ; 

Tis  rapture  of  the  sweetest  kind. 
To  kiss  when  kiss'd,  to  love  when  lov'd. 


XXV. 

There  is  a  sweet,  a  pleasing  death, 
A  soft  suspension  of  the  breath, 

Replete  with  tend'rest  bliss : 
I  find  it  in  my  Lucy's  arms, 
I  taste  it  in  her  ripen'd  charms. 

And  In  her  morm'ring  kiss. 

Wild  fancy  riots  in  the  thought 

Of  rapture  with  endearment  fraught. 

What  mortal  sense  like  this  ? 
For  yon  to  catch  my  fieetinfj  breath. 
To  share  in  that  delicious  death 

Which  hovers  on  your  kiss. 


XXVI. 

Intent  to  frame  some  new  desi^  of  bliss, 
The  wanton  Cj-prian  queen  corapos'd  a  kiss  : 
An  ample  portion  of  ambrosial  juice 
With  mystic  skill  she  tempered  first  for  use. 
This  done,  her  infant  work  was  well  bcnew  a 
With  choicest  nectar;  and  o'er  aii  sne  atr-cw'd 


154  KISSES, 

Part  of  the  honey  which  sly  Cupid  stole. 
Much  to  his  cQst,  and  blended  with  the  whole; 
Then  that  soft  scent  wliich  from  the  violet  flows, 
She  mix'd  with  spoils  of  many  a  vernal  rose; 
Each  jrentle  blandishment  in  love  we  find, 
Each  (graceful  winning-  g-csture,  next  she  join'd: 
And  all  those  joys  that  in  her  zone  abound, 
Made  up  the  kiss,  and  the  rich  labour  crown'd. 
Consid'ring  now  what  beauteous   nymph  might 

prove 
U'orthy  the  gift,  and  worthy  of  her  love. 
She  fix'd  on  Chloe  as  her  fav'rite  maid. 
To  whom  the  goddess,  sweetly  smiling  said: 
•'  Take  this,  my  fair,  to  perfect  ev'ry  grace. 
And  on  thy  lips  the  fragrant  blessing  plate." 


XXVII. 

CoMK,  let  me  touch  those  pouting  lips. 
From  whence  the  rovinir  zephyr  sips 

Love's  most  delicious  spirit ; 
Throw  round  that  snowy  neck  my  arms. 
Encompass  all  those  lovely  charms. 

And  all  thy  soul  inherit. 


KISSES. 

The  rose  that  blooms  on  yonder  tree, 
Sweet  woman,  much  resembles  thee 

In  elegance  and  nature- 
It  lives  to-day  in  beauty's  bloom. 
But,  ere  to-morrow's  sun,  the  tomb 

Maj  shroud  its  every  feature. 

Then  let  us  pluck  the  charming  flow'r. 
And  share  its  sweets  the  fleeting  hour 

Indulgent  heaven  bestoweth; 
TIs  folly,  love,  to  pass  it  by, 
■Twere  wisdom  too  for  you  and  I 

To  tear  it  whence  it  groweth. 

Then  since  in  this  we  both  as^ree, 
I  turn  the  moral,  love,  on  thee, 

^.nd  ask  why  thus  v.-e  trifle  ? 
The  rose  may  bloom  another  day. 
And  death  may  snatch  the  fiow'r  away. 

And  ail  its  beauty  rifie. 

Then  since  it  is  so  frail  a  flow'r. 
The  victim  of  a  day,  an  hour, 

O:  let  us  now  enjoy  it; 
For  e'er  to-morrow's  sun  go  down. 
Indignant  heaven  may  sternly  frown. 

And  secretly  destroy  it. 


IS6 


nstrMMOND. 

Thocgh  I  with  strange  desire 
To  kiss  those  rosy  lips  am  set  on  fire, 

Yet  will  I  cease  to  crave 
Sweet  kisses  in  such  store. 
As  he  who  long  before 
Id  thousands  them  from  Lesbia  did  receive  i 

Sweetheart,  but  once  me  kiss. 

And  I  by  that  sweet  bliss 
E'en  swear  to  cease  you  to  importune  mores 

Poor  one  no  number  is ; 
Another  word  of  me  you  shall  not'-hear 
After  one  kiss,  but  still  one  kiss,  my  dear ! 


XXIX. 

fFronj  the  French.] 

Give  me  one  gentle  kiss,  I  cried: 
And  Anne,  to  stay  my  fleeting  breath. 

Scarce  touching,  to  ray  lips  applied 
Her  own,  and  snatch'd  rae  from  the  gates  of 
death. 


KISSES.  157 

Ah  I  why  with  so  short-liv'd  a  boon, 

My  fleeting  soul  to  earth  restore  ? 
Why  give  and  take  it  back  so  sooa? 

Death  from  thy  lips,  dear  maid,  would  please  me 
more. 


XXX. 

Lovely  Lydia,  lovely  maid! 
Either  rose  in  tiice's  display'd, 
Roses  of  a  blushing  red 
O'er  thy  lips  and  cheeks  are  shed; 
Roses  of  a  paly  hue 
In  thy  fairer  charms  we  v'lfiw. 
Now  thy  braided  hair  unbind; 
Now,  luxuriant,  nnconfin'd, 
Let  thy  wavy  tresses  flow- 
Tresses  bright  of  burnish'd  glow. 

Bare  thy  iv'ry  neck,  my  fair; 
Now  thy  snowy  shoulders  barei 
Bid  the  vivid  lustre  rise 
In  thy  passion-streaming  eyes. 
See,  the  lucent  meteors  gleam 
See,  ihey  speaii  tuc  watcliiui  Aauc 


K  ISSES. 

And  how  gracefully  above, 
Modell'd  from  the  bow  of  love. 
Are  thy  arching  brows  display'd 
Soffiiinu  in  a  sable  shade  ; 
Let  a  warmer  crimson  streak 
The  velvet  of  thy  dowtiy  cheek: 
Let  thy  lips,  that  breathe  perfume^ 
Deeper  purple  now  assume: 
Give  me  little  billing  kisses, 
Intermix'd  with  murm'ring  blisses. 
Soft,  my  love, — my  au^el,  stay. 
Soft, — you  suck  my  breath  away; 
Drink  the  life-drops  of  my  heart. 
Draw  my  soul  from  every  part : 
Scarce  my  senses  can  sustain 
S?  much  pleasure,  so  much  pain ; 
Hide  thj»  broad  voluptuous  breast. 
Hide  thy  balmy  heav'n  of  rest. 
See,  to  feast  th'  enamour'd  eyes. 
How  the  snowy  hillocks  rise. 
Parted  by  the  luscious  vale 
Whence  luxuriant  sweets  exhale; 
Nature  fram'd  thee  but  t'  inspire 
Never-ending  fond  desire. 


Again,  above  -ts  envious  vest. 
See,  thy  oosiom  ncavcs  voufessc 


KISSES. 

Hide  tlie  rapt'rous  dear  delight. 
Hide  it  from  ray  raviih-d  sight ; 
Hide  it, — for  through  all  my  soul 
Tjde-s  of  raadd'ning  transport  roll: 
Venting  now  th'  impassiou'd  sigh. 
See  me  languish,  see  me  die'. 
Tear  not  from  rae  then  thy  charms. 
Snatch,  oh!  snatch  me  to  thy  arms; 
Wfth  a  life-inspiring  kiss 
Wake  my  sinking  soul  to  bliss. 


Yk9,  beauteous  Queen  ;— thy  son,  they  s«* 

Thy  wanton  son  is  gone  astray: 

Nay,  Venus,  more; — 'tis  said,  from  thee 

A  kiss  the  sweet  reward  shall  be 

To  any  swain  who  truly  tells 

With  whom  the  little  wand'rer  dwells. 

Then  grieve  no  more,  nor  drop  a  tear. 

For  know  the  little  urchin's  here  ; 

He,  from  the  search  of  vulgar  eyes. 

Conceal 'd  within  my  bosom  lies: 

Now,  goddess,  as  I've  told  thee  thrs. 

Give  me,  oh  give,  the  promis'd  klsa! 


XXXII. 

BOrtNEFONS. 

Cl.ASp'0,  sweet  maid,  in  thy  embrace. 
While  1  view  thy  smiling  face. 
And  tie  sweets  with  rapture  sip, 
Flowing-  from  thy  honied  lip ; 
Then  I  taste  in  heav'nly  state 
All  that 's  happy,  all  that 's  great : 

But,  when  you  forsake  my  arms. 
And  displeasure  clouds  thy  charms. 
Sudden  I,  who  prov'd  so  late 
All  that 's  happy,  all  that's  great. 
Prove  the  tortures  of  a  ghost 
Wand 'ring  on  the  Stygian  coast. 


XXXIII. 

Oh  !  Rosa,  I  have  never  felt 
Till  now  the  bliss  of  wooing. 

Or  known  how  soon  the  soul  could  n»c!t 
Wilh  rapture,  love,  aiiil  ruiu. 


KISSES. 

But  you,  bewitching-  girl !  have  tanjrlit 

My  soul  to  woo  sincerely. 
And  you  have  robb'd  that  soul  of  aught 

It  yet  had  valued  dearly. 

The  kiss  yon  gave  the  other  night. 
Though  full  of  woe  and  anguish. 

Was  one  for  whose  intense  delight 
My  soul  in  pain  could  languish. 

And  keener  as  the  torment  grew. 
That  kiss  would  sure  be  sweeter 

And  faster  as  ray  reason  flew. 
Its  throbbing  joy  completer. 

Until  confounded  with  the  bliss. 
We  tum'd  awhile  to  sorrow, 

Resolv'd  to  ta-ste  another  kiss 
Of  equal  warmth  to-morrow. 

Oh!  not  to-morrow,  but  to-night 

Let  us  again  indulge  it ; 
And  by  yon  moon's  auspicious  light, 

I  swear  not  to  di^nilge  it. 

And  if,  like  yonder  moon,  my  fair 
Grow  larger,  lovelier,  brighter. 

With  many  a  warmer  kiss  1  swear 
In  future  to  dcliglit  lier. 


XXXIV. 

As  late  upon  a  bed  of  flow'rs 
I  laugh'd  away  the  laughiner  faoart, 
\A'ith,  oh  !  a  more  delicious  maid 
Than  frolic  fancy  e'er  display'd; 
While  twining  roses  met  our  view. 
As  ;f  to  show  what  we  should  do  ; 
And  gfcntle  zephyrs  murmur'd  by. 
As  if  to  teacli  us  how  to  sigh: 
Mcthoueht  for  many  an  artful  wiJe, 
For  sweet  the  maiden  seem'd  to  smile^ 
That  I  might  so  inflame  that  breast. 
Just  peeping^  o'er  her  sparkling  vest. 
That  she  would  give  my  muse  to  sinjj 
The  r:\pturcs  that  from  beauty  spring, 
Wlken,  lig^hted  by  affection's  fire. 
Young  Passion  weds  with  warm  Desire* 
Nor  when  I  dar'd  disclose  my  suit. 
Did  truth  ray  fancied  hopes  refute. 
For  soon  I  led  the  yielding  fair. 
By  gentlest  words  and  tend'rest  care. 
From  granting  first  a  sidelong  kiss. 
To  the  more  dear  delightful  bliss. 
With  which  the  melting  soul's  replete. 
When  lips  meet  lips  in  kisses  sweet; 
E.it  when  with  all  that  glowing  zeal 
Thill  lie^:  can  fL'ijjn  or  passiou  feci. 


KISSES.  1C3 

AssDr'd  she  meant  to  yield  to  me 

ThL"  s^veetest  bud  on  beauty's  tree, 

I  press'd  the  nymph  with  warmest  tone 

To  prove  herself,  indeed,  my  own. 

She  started  from  my  glowing  arras. 

Then  clasp'd  around  her  snowy  charras, 

And  flew  across  the  fiow'ry  lawn. 

Like  fairy  sprite  on  fancy  borne ; 

Btill  starting  back  a  smiling  leer. 

Which  gall'd  more  deep  than  frowns  severe  j 

And,  crying,  as  she  skimm'd  the  ^ound,— 

"  My  zone  was  loosen'd,  not  unbound  ; 

And  thanks  be  to  your  kind  endcarour,    ^ 

It  now  is  more  secure  than  ever." 


XXXV. 

BEAUMONT   AND    PLKTCHKB. 

Take,  ah',  take  those  lips  away, 
That  so  sweetly  were  forsworn. 

And  those  eyes,  the  break  of  day. 
Lights  that  do  mislead  the  mom; 

But  my  kisses  bring  nirain. 

Seals  of  love,  but  s<-al'i  in  va;n. 


1G4  KISSES. 

Hide,  oh !  hide  those  hills  of  snow. 
Which  thy  frozen  bosom  bears ; 

Oil  whose  tops  the  pinks  that  grow 
Are  of  those  whicli  April  wears : 

But  my  poor  heart,  oh  I  first  set  free. 

Bound  in  those  icy  chains  by  thee. 


PKTER     PINDAR. 

Ladies,  I  should  be  sorely  griev'd  indeed, 
CoulJ  I  once  write  what  you  would  blush  to  read. 

But  that  same  pcet  'clep'd  Jean  Fontaine, 
Was  verily  the  taste  and  admiration 
Of  all  the  ladies  of  the  Gallic  nation. 

Quoted  and  toasted  o'er  and  o'er  again. 

Our  poet  Pope  against  a  naughty  word 
Protested — seeming  too  to  shut  his  door; 

Pronouncing  all  obscenity  absurd — 
That  ribaldry  was  folly — nothing  more  ; 

Yet  Master  Pope,  who  decency  so  flatters, 

Pliinip'd  boldly  into  certain  wicked  matters. 


KISSES.  1C5 

Miss  Heloise,  that  warm  young-  lass  I  ween. 

Says  things  that  cover  modesty  with  shame 
[  must  confess  I  never  saw  nineteen 

Pour  such  an  jEtna  forth  of  arn'rous  fiame. 
Since  then  the  lightnings  of  the  ladies'  eyes 

Knock  not  the  memories  of  such  poets  down. 
It  striketh  me  indeed  with  tuge  surprise, 

'I'hat  Peter'i  purer  line  should  feel  a  frown. 

E'en  age  delighteth  in  an  arn'rous  tale; 
Love  warms  his  inside  like  a  pot  of  ale. 

Thaws  his  cold  heart,  and  nia^ies  it  beat  so 
cheery: 
His  eyes,  that  owl-like  wink'd  upon  the  day. 
Burst  open  with  a  keen  and  t\vinkling  ray. 

And,  lo'  he  hugs  and  kisses  bis  old  dearjl 


XXXVXI. 

Give  me,  Lydia,  kisses  sweet. 
Kisses,  Love's  delicious  treat; 
Honied  kisses  from  thy  lip, 
Cupid's  self  might  joy  to  sip. 
Sweeter  than  the  flow'rs  which  bloom. 
And  around  shed  rich  pcnu.iic— 


Softer  ttan  tbe  zephyr's  breath 
Wafted  e'er  the  fiow'ry  heath! 

Freelr  give  thy  soul  to  joy ; 
Mercenary  pleasures  cloy. 
While  the  voluntary  bliss. 
Kiss  so  sweetly  answering  kiss. 
Fills  the  soul  with  real  pleasure, 
Bless'd  and  blessing  %v-ithoat  measozc^ 

Mind  net  what  doll  pedants  say. 
Pleasure  beckcns,  let's  away  I 
Age  will  guard  the  jni'rous  flame. 
Then,  like  them,  shall  we  be  tame  I 
But  -A-hile  caturc  gives  the  pow'r. 
Let's  gaily  pass  the  fleeting  hour- 


XXXVIII. 

O :  JiXNiB,  let  me  freely  taste 
Those  kisses  warm  and  sweet. 

For  which,  my  love,  I'd  gladly  Wiiste 
\Vhrl»  '-'ti  at  yoiir  feeU 


KISSES.  1 

Aronnd  that  little  form  of  thin?, 

O,  Januie,  let  me  throw 
These  warm  luxuriant  arms  of  mirCj— 

The  warmest  thou  canst  know. 

One  touch  of  those  impressive  armi 

Will  please  my  Jannie  more 
Thau  all  tiie  wiles,  and  all  the  charms. 

Of  those  she  "knew  before. 

For  I  have  heard  the  girls  declare. 
When  on  their  neclis  reclinin;;. 

The  warmtli  that  they  experienc'd  there. 
Was  rapture  past  defining. 

But 't  is  not.  Love,  for  me  to  tell. 

The  pleasures  that  are  past, 
Jannie  herself  may  judge  as  well 

As  those  who  praisM  the  last. 

But  this  one  bargain.  Love,  I'll  make, 

That  if  I  do  not  please  you, 
I'll  cease,  you  little  rosy  raUe, 

For  ever  more  to  tease  you. 


▲  ABOTT     BII.I.. 

TwAS  one  May  morning,  when  the  clouds  un 

drawn 
^xpos'd,  in  naked  cbarmt,  the  wakine  dn.-  u  ; 
When  night-fall'n  dews,  by  day's  warm  LOortship 

won, 
7.om  reeking'  roses  climb'd  to  Wss  the  sun  r 
Nature,  new  blossam'd,  shed  her  odours  round ; 
The    dewy   primrose    kiss'd    the    breeze-swept 

ground; 
The  watchful  cock  had  thrice  proclaim'd  the  day. 
And  glimm'ring  sunbeams  faintly  forc'd  their  way: 
When  join'd  in  hand  and  heart,  to  church  we  weut. 
Mutual  in  vows,  and  prisoners  by  consent : 
Aarelia's  heart  beat  high  with  mix"d  alarms. 
But  trembling  beauty  glow"d  with  doable  charms. 
In  her  soft  breast  a  modest  struggle  rose, 
How  she  should  seem  to  like  the  lot  she'd  chose ; 
A  smile  she  thought  would  arcss  her  looks  too  ijay, 
A  frown  might  seem  too  sad,  and  blast  the  day. 
But  while  nor  this  nor  that  her  will  could  bow. 
She  walkd,  and  look'd,  and  charm'd,  she  knew 

not  how. 
Our  'oriiids,  at  length,  th'  unchangine  fiat  bonnd. 
And  oar  fe;.;d  souis  spraCj;  out  to  ijrecl  ihe  sonnd. 


K  r  S  S  E  S  IC9 

Joyg  meedng  joys  unite,  and  stronger  sniae ; 
For  passion,  purified,  grows  half  di-.-ine. 
Aiireiia,  thoa  art  mine !  I  cried ;  and  she 
SighVi  ioft — 'Sow,  Damon  thou  art  lord  of  me  ! 
Bat  v.ilt  thou,  whisper'd  she,  the  knot  now  tied, 
■WTiich  only  death's  keen  weapon  ce.ii  divide, 
WUt  thoa,  still  mindful  of  thy  raptures  past. 
Permit  the  summer  of  love's  hope  to  last? 
Shall  not  cold  wintry  frosts  come  on  too  soon? 
Ah,  say !  what  means  the  world  by  honey-moon  i 
If  we  so  short  a  space  our  bliss  enjoy. 
What  toils  does  love  for  one  poor  month  erap'.cj  ? 
Women  thus  us'd,  like  bubbles  blown  in  air. 
Owe  to  their  outward  charms  a  sun-gilt  glare  ; 
Like  them,  we  glitter  to  the  distant  eye. 
Bat,  grasp'd  like  them,  we  do  but  weep  and  die. 
heat  more,  said  I,  thou  shoaldst  profane  the  bliss, 
I'll  seal  thy  dang'rous  lips  with  this  close  kiss  ; 
Xor  thus  the  heav'n  of  marriage  hopes  blaspheme. 
Bat  learn  from  me  to  speak  on  this  lov'd  then.e. 
There  have  been  wedlock  joys  of  swift  decay. 
Like  lightning,  seen  at  once,  and  shot  away; 
But  theirs  were  hopes,  which,  all  unfit  to  pair. 
Like  fire  and  powder,  kiss'd,  and  flash'd  to  air! 
Thy  soal  and  mine,  by  mutual  courtship  won. 
Meet  like  two  mingling  flames,  and  make  but  one. 
Union  of  hearts,  not  hands,  does  marriage  make, 
-Tii  sympathy  of  mindi  keep*  love  av.ake. 


178  KISSES. 

Our  flowing  days  increase  of  joy  shall  kntw. 
And  thick-sown  comforts  leave  no  room  for  woe. 
Thon,  the  soft-swelling  vine,  shall  fruitful  last, 
I,  the  strong  elm,  will  prop  thy  beauty  fast ; 
Thou  shalt  strew  sweets  to  soften  life's  rough  way; 
And,  when  hot  passions  ray  proud  wishes  sway. 
Thou,  like  some  breeze,  shalt  in  my  bosom  play. 
Thou,  for  protection,  shalt  on  me  depend. 
I  find  in  tliee  a  soft  and  faithful  friend  ; 
I,  in  Aureiia,  shall  for  ever  view 
At  once  my  care,  my  fear,  my  comfort,  too ; 
Thou  shalt  first  partner  in  my  pleasures  be. 
But  all  my  pains  shall,  last,  be  known  to  thee. 
Aureiia  heard,  and  view'd  me  with  a  smile. 
Which  seera'd  at  once  to  cherish  and  rc-.ile  ; 
O  god  of  love',  she  cried,  what  joys  are  thine. 
If  all  life's  race  were  wedding-days  lik?  uiiae. 


XL. 

Q.     A.     STBPBBNS. 

Ye  delicate  lovelies,  with  leave  I  mdntain. 
That  happiness  here  you  may  find ; 

To  yourselves  I  appeal  for  felicity's  reign. 
When  you  meet  with  a  man  to  your  laiad. 


K  I  S  5  E  S  17r 

When  gfratitude  friendship  to  fondness  unites. 

Inexpressive  endearments  arise ; 
Then  hopes,  fears,  and  fancies,  strange  doubts 
and  deliglits. 

Are  annouuc'd  by  those  tell-tales  the  eyes. 

Those  technical  terms  in  the  science  of  l«ve. 
Cold  sciiooliuen  attempt  to  describe  ; 

But  ho\v  should  they  paint  what  they  never  can 
prove; 
For  tenderness  knows  not  their  tribe. 

Of  all  the  abuse  on  enjoyment  that's  thrown, 
The  treatment  love  takes  not  amiss 

Is  the  rant  of  the  coxcomb,   the   sot,  and  tha 
clown. 
Who  pretend  to  indulge  on  a  kiss. 

The  love  of  a  fribble  at  self  only  aims  :— 

For  sots  and  clowns — class  them  with  beasts; 

No  fibre,  no  atom,  have  they  in  their  frames. 
To  relish  such  delicate  feasts. 

In  circling  embraces,  when  lips  to  lips  move^ 
Description,  oh  I  teach  me  to  praise 

The  overture  kiss  to  the  op'r^-  of  love — 
But  beauty  would  laugh  at  the  plirase. 


172  K  I  S  S  K  S  . 

Love's  preludes  are  kisses,  and,  after  the  \\zy. 

They  fill  up  the  pause  of  delig-ht* 
The  rich  repetitions,  which  never  decay. 

The  lips'  silent  language  at  night. 

The  raptures  of  kissing'  we  only  can  taste 

When  sympathies  equal  inspire  : 
And  while  to  enjoyment  unbounded  w  ■   iiaste. 

Their  breath  blows  the  coals  of  desin;. 

Again,  and  again,  and  again,  beauty  sips  j 
When  feeling  these  pressures  excite  : 

When  fleeting  life's  stopp'd  by  a  kiss  of  th*  lip». 
Then  sinks  in  a  flood  of  delight. 


XLI. 

Press  on  my  lips,  oh!  gently  press 
Another  of  those  kisses  sweet ; 

And  I  will  fondly  dream  the  rest. 
Till  we  again  in  rapture  meet. 

I!ow  long  tne  sad  suspense  will  spcni- 
How  slowly  niii  the  moments  riy, 

I'ntil  in  taat  amorosial  dream 
On  yonder  rosy  coach  we  lie. 


KISSES. 

Vet,  Jaiinie,  I  -nill  think  I  seal 
JXy  vows  upon  that  bosom  bare, 

Aud  1  will  think  we  soon  shall  feel 
The  pleasures  we  Lave  tasted  there. 

That  bosom,  oh  \  whene'er  I  dwell 

Ou  that  expansive  scene  of  charms, 
I  fee!  my  every  pulse  rebel— 
•    I  feel  my  spirit  all  in  arms. 

Then  let  me,  Jannie,  one  night  more 
Devote  my  soul  to  love  and  thee  ; 

Jannie  will  not,  I  know,  deplore 
That  little,  trivial  grant  to  me. 

O '.  I  would  rather  lie  one  iilglt 
Beside  those  hills  of  glowing  snow, 

Thau  live  for  ages,  where  the  lij^ia 
Of  rapture  never  seems  to  glow. 

Yes,  Jannie,  and  I  judge  of  thee. 
My  sweetest,  by  that  very  rule ; 

For  thou,  indulgent  girl,  like  me. 
Were  tutor 'd  in  a  Cypriau  school. 

But  I  can  feel  for  Jannie's  woes. 
As  if  she  owii'd  a  fairer  name ; 

Ami,  though  a  fallen  giri,  she  Knows 
I  Ktcire  to  hide  each  blu:>U  ot  sna^.e. 


KISSES. 

But  while  I  bojist  a  reasoning-  mind. 
That  feeling,  doar,  shall  ne'er  dec.y; 

For  though  the  floWr  hath  felt  the  wicd 
It  has  not  s-.vept  the  stem  away. 

Nor  shall  it  feel  the  tempest's  pow'r— 
N'or  shall  it  wither — droop— and  die,— 

But  hloomiii^  in  contentment's  bow'r. 
Delight  my  ever-watchful  eye. 


XLII. 

Thb  transient  season  let's  improve. 
That  human  life  allots  to  love. 
Youth  soon,  my  Cynthia,  flies  away. 
And  ag^e  assumes  its  frozen  sway: 
With  elecrance  and  neatness  Uress'a, 
Come,  then,  in  beauty's  bloom  conless'df 
And  in  my  fond  embrace  be  bless 'd. 

Faint  struarglings  but  infiame  desire. 
And  serve  to  fan  the  lover's  fire ; 
Then  vield  not  all  at  onoe  your  charmg. 
But  with  reluctance  fill  rcy  arms: 


KISSES.  175 

My  arras '  that  shall  wth  eager  haste 

Encircle  now  your  slender  waist : 

Now  round  your  neck  be  careless  hung. 

And  now  o'er  all  your  frame  be  flung. 

About  your  limbs  my  limbs  I'll  twine. 

And  lay  your  glowing  cheek  to  mine  ; 

Close  to  my  broader  manlier  chest 

I'll  press  thy  firm  proud-swelling  breast; 

Now  rising  high,  now  falling  low. 

As  passion's  tide  shall  ebb  or  fiow. 

My  murni'ring  tongue  shall  speak  my  blisg. 

Shall  court  your  yielding  lips  to  kisst 

Each  kiss  with  thousands  I'll  repay. 

And  almost  suck  your  breath  away. 

A  thousand  more  you  then  shall  give. 

And  then  a  thousand  more  receive  : 

In  transport  half-dissolv'd  we'll  lie. 

Venting  our  wbhes  in  a  sigh. 


Quick  starting  from  me,  now  (fi>!pi\v 
Your  loose  and  discoiupos'o  ana-  . 
Your  hair  shall  o'er  your  polisti'd  brow. 
In  sweetly-wild  disorder  flow; 
And  those  long  tresses  from  behind. 
You  us'd  in  artful  braids  to  bind. 
Shall  do^rn  your  snowy  bosom  spre8<3. 
Redundant,  in  a  su/tenM  ^aaiie* 


I  KISSES. 

Aiid  from  your  -n-ishful  eyes  shall  stream 
The  dewy  liijht  of  passion's  flame  ; 
While  now  and  then  a  look  shall  ^'lance. 
Your  senses  lost  in  am'rous  trance. 
That  fain  my  rudeness  would  reprove. 
Yet  plainly  teUs  how  strong  you  love: 
The  roses,  heieht'ning  on  your  cheek. 
Shall  the  fierce  tide  of  rapture  speak; 
And  on  your  lips  a  warmer  glow 
The  deepen'd  ruby  then  shall  show: 
Your  breast,  replete  with  youthful  fire, 
Khali  heave  with  tumults  of  desire  ; 
Shall  heave  at  thoughts  of  wish'd-for  i.lisj, 
Springing  as  though  't  woiild  meet  n  \  kissi 
Down  on  that  heav'n  I'll  sink  quite  spent. 
And  lie  in  tender  languishment; 
But  soon  your  charms'  reviving  pow'r 
Shall  to  my  frame  new  life  restore : 
With  love  I'll  then  my  pains  assuage. 
With  kisses  cool  my  wanton  rage ; 
Hang  o'er  thy  beauties  till  I  cloy. 
Then  cease — and  then  renew  my  joy! 
The  bliss  I  feel  be  more  divine. 
Because  the  source,  the  spring,  of  t!i;nB. 


xLiir. 

Coir,  :et's  enjoy  the  passing iieur, 
(The  only  one  that's  in  our  pow-*r,) 
Receive  and  give  the  balmy  kiss, 
Aad  let  oar  souls  unite  in  bliis. 

Tis  Nature  swells  the  tkrobbing  vein  j 
Let  not  her  impulse  urge  in  vain : 
To  Nature  all  your  charms  you  owe, 
Th'  iv'ry  neck,  the  roseate  glow. 

Tis  Nature  fires  the  panting  breast, 
And  bids  the  sex  in  love  be  blest ; 
She  laoehs  at  tymnt  Custom's  swav, 
And  points  were  Pleasure'^  cherubs  stray 

Was  it  not  Nature  made  you  fair? 
Say,  would  you  then  destroy  her  care. 
Regardless  of  the  hi^h  behest. 
To  multiply— and  to  be  blest? 

The  world  in  ev'ry  age  the  same, 
Is  less  profuse  of  praise  than  blame: 
And  shall  it  blame  that  sweet  embrace 
WTjich  gave  existence  to  its  ra..e.* 


KISSES. 

O  come  then,  Anna,  rich  ia  charms  :— 
Soe  came,  she  rush'd  into  mv  arras. 
Her  lips,  her  form,  with  passion  barn'()~> 
She  gave  that  bliss  which  I  return'd. 


XLI.V. 

Whoe'ek  is  kiss'd  beneath  my  shade. 
Widow,  wife,  or  artle&s  niaid, 
And  culls  my  fruit  to  search  my  heart. 
And  place  it  next  her  counterpart. 
True  shall  herardent  wishes  at  the  moment  prove* 
Foster'd  to  life,  like  me,  upon  the  plant  1  love. 

Should  they  ^y  fate  be  grafted  on 
The  hazel,  crao,  or  prickly  thorn. 
Tasteless,  or  soou  degen'rate,  wild. 
With  cares  beset,  ■with  tears  beguil'd, 
Partaking  of  the  nature  where  they  hapless  grow. 
She  'il  rue  the  baleful  plant,  thymystic  mistletoe. 

Ah,  no!  the  oak  her  wishes  bear. 
The  nymph  by  tender  love  led  here ; 
Come,  then,  in  Christmas  pambols  play. 
And  dance  the  midnii^ht  hours  away  t 


KtSSKS.  170 

An<l  join  in  song  the  warbliiiif  lute, 

And  gather  kisses  with  my  fruit ; 
Let  her  foiiri  bosom  slill  with  mutual  rapture  glow. 
She'll  bless  the  evergrsen,  the  sacrcU  mistletoe. 


XLV. 

I  LOTS  the  girl  whose  humid  eye 
Is  pregnant  with  illicit  pleasure; 

The  girl  that's  neither  bold  nor  shr. 
That  foots  it  to  a  dying  niMsurc, 

I  hate  the  dull  and  simpering  miss, 
Tliat  seems  to  scorn,  yet  loves,  the  action , 

But,  Chloc,  thy  imiiassion'd  kiss 
Is  full  of  heavenly  satisfaction. 

There's  something  so  beyond  expression. 
When  near  tli/  angel  form  1  laitguish. 

Darts  through  me,  tliat  its  .vtrong  inipressioi 
Dispels  the  keenest  throes  of  anguish. 

S«  eet  truant !  when  the  air  is  calia. 
And  all  the  scene  in  p<"ace  reposes, 

t\  e  II  drink  the  midnigtt's  holy  balm, 
Oa  coucLea  «trown  by  Luve  with  ro«ea> 
mi 


'  KISSES. 

We'W  ofl,  my  sweet !  tojfcilier  sigh, 
Ai\d  tliiiik  o-f  wliat  we  might  be  doing. 

And  read  witli  pleasure's  wanton  eye 
Tiie  volume  of  our  mutual  ruiu. 

Then  let  ns,  Chloe,  ope  the  book, 
And  eon  its  most  obscure  recesses, 

And  ril  engnge  by  Chlue's  look. 
She'll  feel  what  it  so  well  exprcsset. 

The  task,  I  own,  may  well  appear 
More  diflicult  than  we  discern  it; 

But,  Chloe,  if  we're  both  sincere, 
I'll  warrant  that  we  quickly  learn  it. 


X  L  V  r . 

What  souls  about  to  leave  their  bodies  bare, 
Forc'd  to  forsake  their  lon^-lov'd  mansion  there. 
The  dyinij  anguish,  the  convulsive  pain. 
And  all  the  rackinif  tortures  they  sustain: 
And,  most  of  all,  tne  doubt,  the  dreadful  fear, 
When  thrust  out  hence,  to  go  they  know  aot 
wher«« 


KISSES.  191 

My  soul  such  panics,  surii  9nd  distraction,  kiisw, 
Forc'd  by  flcsp.iirii;)}  love  to  |):irt  uilh  you. 
Fi.\"d  on  that  face  where  1  coiild  ever  dwell, 
I  sitfh'd  and  shools,  and  eould  not  say  fareu ell. 
Down  my  sad  clieeUs  did  tears  in  torrents  roll. 
And  death's  cold  damp  sat  heavy  on  my  soul, 
l^Iy  trembling  eyes  swam  in  a  native  llood. 
As  fast  as  they  wept  tears,  my  heart  wept  blood] 
BIy  sinking  feet  secm'd  rooted  to  their  place, 
AnJ  scarce  could  bear  me  to  the  last  embrace. 
Gods',  where  was  then  my  soul  ?  that  parting  Ui^a 
AVas  both  the  la^t  and  dearest  tale  of  bliss. 
All!  since  that  fatal  time,  1  could  not  boast 
Of  love,  of  life,  or  soul ;  al!,  all,  is  lost. 
^Vhcn  the  last  moment  that  1  had  to  stay 
Call'd  me,  like  one  condemn'd  to  death,  away. 
Yet  oft  1  turn'ci,  to  take  another  view. 
Oft  guz'd,  and  si-^h'd,  and  inurmurM  out,  .^dieal 


XL  VI  I. 

I  ■watch'd  her  many  a  dreary  night. 
When  death  seem"d  hovering  near. 

And  saw  full  many  a  dear  delight 
lu  every  glance  appear. 


KISSES. 

She  lookM  as  if  she  dar'd  not  love. 
Or  foiMlly  qucstioiiM  mine. 

Yet  often  sccni'd  iiiteiil  to  prove 
A  passion  most  iliviuc. 

She  prcss'fi  i:ie  to  her  ffuivering  lips. 

And  bade  me  not  depart. 
And  witii  those  eyes  timt  suns  ecUpM 

Seduc'd  my  falt'ring  heart. 


XLVIII. 

Wekb  it  not  better,  pretty  Rath, 
Instead  of  tellinif  beads,  forsooth, 

To  number  l)uriiini;  kisses? 
And  "stead  o[  kneelilii^  at  yon  shrine. 
To  have  me  fondly  own  thee  mine, 

And  pay  my  vows  \villi  blisses  .* 

Indeed  it  will  be  better  sport 

To  sweetly  mix  in  pleasure's  court. 

And  yield  to  her  emotions ; 
And  whatsoever  now  you  feel. 
Trust  me  you'll  grow  with  (greater  zc*l, 

Kngag'd  in  such  devotion*. 


XLIX. 

O   A    LADY    WHO    KISSED    HER    SPAKK0-W3. 

Why,  Anna,  why  let  sjiarrows  sip 
The  ncct.-ir  from  your  ro-.y  lip? 
Ask  but  your  lieart— it  will  sugifcst 
They  value  not  what  makes  mc  blest. 


TO   THE    SPARROWS   WHICH    WEUK    KISSED 

Ve  sparrows,  who  from  Aijna's  lip, 
Divincsl  nectar  hourly  sip. 

Nor  yet  of  pleasure  die. 
How  adverse  is  the  will  of  Fate! 
You  for  her  kisses  to  create. 

To  pine  without  them  I! 

To  you  unconscio-ns  of  the  bliss 
The  sou!  inhnies  from  Anna's  kiss. 

The  boon  divine  is  ijivcn  ; 
Whilst  I  am  doom'd  to  know  its  charm. 
Yet  be  denied  the  fragrant  bahu 

lisdewinif  that  rich  heavciu 


LI. 

Ax  am'rous  prelate,  lot;cn(ls  say. 
Near  Cliloc,  hlcoiiiin.!,',  youiii;.  hiiJ  gay, 
Soon  felt  llic  force  of  |iassioii  rise; 
Its  fire  was  caui;lil  from  ("liloe's  eyes: 
His  holy  liaiiil  o'er  treasures  rovM — 
Gems  \tliit'li  inii;li|^-k  sniiit  liave  iDov'd: 
"  What  are  yon  <loiiit;,  sir?"  she  cried. 
Ami  as  he  kiss'il  her,  Ktiilly  siijhM : 
"  Uoiii(C,  sweet  i\»u'.—iu  partibut 
I'm  visiting  my  diocese  I" 


U  A  R  T  I  A  L. 

Come,  Chloc,  and  i;ivc  me  sweet  kissei. 

For  sweeter  sure  yirl  never  i;ave  ; 
But  why,  in  the  i:i:<lst  of  my  blisses. 

Do  yoe.  ask  me  ho-.v  many  IM  have? 
I'm  not  to  be  slinteil  in  jileasiire. 

Then  i.rilhec,  my  charmer,  be  kind  I 
For  whilst  I  love  you  alinve  measure, 

Touuiiibers  I'll  ue'ei  be  coufm  U- 


KISSES.  V 

Count  the  btes  that  on  Hybla  are  pUyinif, 

Co-jiit  tlic  .1o«"rs  tl.at  enamel  the  fields : 
Count  l)ie  liocks  l)iat  mi  Tempe  are  straying. 

Or  llie  i;»iiii  lliat  ritii  t^icily  yieli'is: 
Go  nuinlitr  the  stars  in  the  Ueav'n, 

Count  liow  n«iny  san'ls  on  the  sliore; 
When  so  many  k'^ses  you"ve  jpv'ii, 

I  still  shall  be  craving  for  niore. 

To  a  heart  full  of  love  let  mo  hold  th.ec. 

To  a  heart  whicli,  ilcar  Ciiloe,  is  thine  ; 
Willi  my  arms  I'll  for  cvsr  enfold  ihee, 

An<l  twist  round  thy  limbs  like  a  vine. 
What  jyy  can  lie  jfro''-"''  t^'^"  ''''s  '•* 

My  l.fe  on  thy  lips  shall  be  spent ; 
Uut  the  wretch  that  can  number  his  kk&saa* 

With  few  will  be  ever  content. 


If  love  be  perdition,  why  f.aur*  and  I' 

Are  meant  for  the  lowest  abyss ; 
For  what  with  the  n;agic  that  lurks  in  her  ere, 

*-*id  the  Kweetuess  aud  warmtu  of  her  kiss— 


IS6  KISSES. 

I  ne'er  have  forgotten  tlie  lesson  she  taught  me, 

W'lien  toying  together  we  lay. 
Till  swooning  in  transport  slie  tenderly  caugh*  me. 

And  stole  all  my  senses  away. 

But  wlio  wou-KI  desire  a  heaven  more  bright 
Tlian  that  which  lior  neck  can  impart  i 

Let  tliPt  treasure  be  mine,  and  a  would  of  delit^ht. 
Though  \i\  torment,  \voul<l  gladden  my  heart. 

Kiss,  Laura!  again  ;  and  again  let  me  press 

That  bosom  far  wliitcr  tlian  suow  ; 
For  since  we  arc  doom'd  to  tlie  realms  of  distresi 

Dow-u  the  river  of  pleasure  we'll  go. 


LIV. 

B  O  R  A  CB. 

Twas  night,  mid  heav'n,  intent  with  all  its  eyes, 
Gaz'd  on  the  dear  deceitful  maid  : 
A  thousand  pretty  things  she  said, 
A  thousand  kisses  sweetly  paid. 

From  me,  deluded  me,  her  falsehood  to  disiruise. 


KISSES.  isr 

She  c-lasp'd  mc  In  lier  soft  cncirciin?  arms, 
Sh<;  prcssM  licr  irlowiiiij  chccli  to  mine,— . 
Tlif  cliiiifiiis:  ivy,  or  tiVf  curlii;}?  vine. 
Dill  never  yet  so  elosely  twine  : 

Who  coul<l  be   man  and  bear  the  lustre  of  hei 
chnrms  .•" 


And  thus  she  swore:  "  By  all  the  powers  above, 
Wlien  winter  storms  siiall  cease  to  roar. 
When  sunisiicr  suns  sliaii  :/;iiMe  no  more. 
When  wolves  their  craclly  jfive  o'er, 

Nea;ra  then,  aiiU  not  till  then,  shall  cease  lo  love." 

Ah:  false  Nesra:  perjured  fair! — but  know 

I  have  a  soul  too  sjreai  to  bear 

A  rival's  proud  insulting  air; 

Another  my  be  found  as  fair, 
As  fair,  nngratefol  nymph  I  and  far  more  just  than 
thou. 

Shonldst  thou  repent,  and  at  my  feet  be  laid. 
Dejected,  penitent,  forlorn. 
And  all  thy  former  follies  mourn, 
'i'liy  profl'er'ii  pas^inn  I  wou!i|  sirorn- 

Thi;  godi^  shall  uu  tr.i  right  un  that  devoted  head? 


LV. 

Ceasb  yonr  music,  gentle  svraicst 
Saw  ye  Delia  cross  th<;  plains  ? 
livci)-  tliiiktt,  every  tjrove. 
Have  I  raiiij'il  to  liiul  my  love: 
A  kid,  a  bmb,  my  lloeli.  111  give. 
Tell  me  only,  dotli  slie  live? 

White  licr  skin  as  mountain  snow 
In  her  clicek  the  roses  blow; 
And  her  eye  is  brijjliter  far 
Than  the  beaming  morning  star. 
When  her  ru.!<ly  lips  ye  view, 
»Tis  a  ucrry  moist  witli  dew: 
Kisses  sweet  those  lips  impart, 
Kapturc  triviiig  to  the  heart. 
Her  breath,  oh '.  it  is  a  gale 
Passing  ""cr  a  fragrant  vale. 
Passing,  wlicn  a  friendly  showV 
Freshens  every  herb  anil  llow'r, 
Witlc  her  bosom  opens,  gay 
As  the  primrose  dell  in  May; 
Sweet  as  violet-borders  growing 
Over  fountains  ever  (lowing. 
Like  the  tcnilrils  of  the  vine 
Do  her  auburn  tresses  tuiuei 


KISSES. 

Glossv  riiii^lcts  nil  bcliind, 
Strcs'iiina  1)11X0111  to  the  wind; 
Wlici!  aloiii;  the  lawn  she  bounds, 
I.iijlit  as  liiiiil  'iiL'forc  the  hounds; 
Anil  the  youthful  rinif  she  fires. 
Hopeless  in  their  fond  desires. 
As  her  llittiiiij  feet  adv.-..]' c, 
■\VaJiloii  in  the  wincinir  dance. 

Tel!  ir.c,  shepherds,  have  yon  seen 
Mj-  deliglil,  my  love,  my  queen'' 


LVI. 

GAILCS. 

Mr  goddess  Lydia,  henv'iily  fair. 

As  lilies  sweet,  as  soft  as  air, 

I.ct  loose  thy  tresses,  spread  thy  chnrmt. 

And  to  i!iy  love  ^ive  fresh  alarms. 

Oh !  let  me  jja/c  on  those  lirii;ht  cve<. 
Th-jut^h  saerrd  litrlitnini,'  from  ihcni  'lies: 
Snow  me  triat  soft,  that  modest  trrace. 
Which  paints  with  charming  red  thy  Uce. 


KISSES. 

Girc  me  ambrosia  in  a  kiss, 
Tli'.t  I  limy  rivul  Jove  in  bliss; 
1'hat  f  nsny  mix  lay  soul  with  tbine. 
And  make  tlie  pleasure  all  divine. 

Oh !  bide  thy  bosom's  killing  white* 
(The  milhy-way  is  not  so  briifht,) 
Lest  you  my  ra-.iih'<l  soul  oppress 
With  beauty's  poinn  and  iwcct  excess. 

Why  draw'st  thou  from  the  purple  flood 
Of  niy  kind  heart  the  vital  blood  ? 
Thou  art  ail  over  emllcss  charms— 
Oh  1  l^e  QIC,  dying,  to  thine  arms. 


LVir. 

From  Anna's  dear  lip 

Tlifiiiijh  nectar  I  sip. 
That  nectar  insipid  «ouM  prove. 

If  there  were  no  charms 

To  find  in  her  arms 
B«Toi«J  the  »*eet  kiss  of  hei  lo*». 


KISSES. 

The  kiss,  it  is  true. 
For  cliildreii  may  do, 

The  passionless,  atjod,  or  grax'e; 
But  I,  ill  full  rlou'r, 
Feel  Nature's  great  pow'r. 

And  food  mure  substantial  I  eiave. 

I  look  on  a  kiss 

As  t)ie  portal  of  bliss 
To  liim  unto  whom  it  is  given  ; 

A  key  that  insures 

Your  way  through  the  doors 
Which  lead  to  the  Paphian  hcav'n. 


LVIII. 

Bath'd  in  the  freshest  dew  of  niarlit, 
Roses  lilush  a  softer  light; 
So  blush  thy  lips  from  many  a  kiss, 
Snntch'd  ill  a  long,  long  night  of  i>li!>*t 
blush,  and  steal  a  tint  more  brij^til 
From  thy  skin  of  snoiv7  white. 
Thus  violets  shed  a  purer  blue. 
Held  iu  some  baud  of  lily  baei 


I  KISSES. 

TTius  earlr  rip'iiinff  clicrries  g-Iow, 
*Wi(l  bIos<iOiiis  H-liite  tli:it  Inter  blow. 
When  summer  ilrcss'il  in  ijHrl.iiuls  sweet. 
And  (leH-cy'tl  Spriiijf  logctlicr  meet, 

All!  must  I  leave  thee,  while  I  sip 
Thy  soul  ombodicil  on  thy  lip; 
Tlicii  let  thy  pulpv  lip  retain 
The  dewy  irlow,  till  night  .vain 
Briii^  nic,  while  otiiers  sink  to  rest. 
To  w.ike  in  raptures  on  thy  breast : 
But  shoul'l  these  lovely  lips  of  thine 
Ere  llieii  bless  nnr  lips  hut  mine. 
Pale  may  they  turn  !  as  deadly  pale 
As  I  should  turu  to  know  thee  freill 


BEN       JON  SON, 

Fo-H  love's  sake  Kiss  me  once  a^ain; 
I  loiiif,  and  should  not  betr  in  vain — 

Here's  none  to  spy  or  see; 
Whv  do  you  doubt  or  stay  ? 
I'll  taste  as  lightly  as  the  bee 
Thai  UotU  but  touch  hia  flow'r,  and  flies  awsf. 


LX. 

THE  FAIH  CIRCASSIAN  AND  SOLOMON. 

SAPIIIU.V. 

O  I.OVE,  t!iv  mighty  burniiiics  wlio  can  licnr? 
Wlmt  tliirst,  wlnit  fervor  c-:iii  «it!i  mine  tomparel 
Witli  speed  coiiiluct  iiic  to  tlie  lovely  3»/;ii:» 
That  lires  my  soul,  iiiitl  causes  all  my  imiii ; 
'Tis  only  that  dear  youth  whose  lialiny  kiss 
Can  liiitij^ate  my  smart  with  healing  bliss. 
O  come,  my  dearest,  come,  and  hithct  bring 
Thy  liijs  adorn'il  with  all  the  hloomiiif;  siiriiig; 
A  thousand  sweets  their  fragrant  atoms  blend. 
Which,  in  a  gale  of  joy,  thy  breath  attend: 
Such  soothing  cordials  to  my  soul  apply. 
Heal  nie  with  kisses,  love,  or  else  1  die ; 
^\'ith  poiifnaiit  tasteful  kisses,  such  as  thine. 
Whose  flavour  far  excels  the  richest  wine. 
Me  and  my  charmer  now,  from  noontide  bow  is. 
To  spend  in  various  scenes  our  blissful  hours. 
Love  the  banquctini;  pavilion  brin>;s, 
And  o'er  our  heads  unfurls  his  trembling  wings. 
With  fev'rish  heat  he  seizes  every  part. 
Burns  in  my  veins,  and  revels  iu  my  heart. 
He  s-.iiUs  to  slumbers  on  the  rosy  brd, 
Aui.  on  liis  ariiiB  i  lean  my  love-sick  head ; 


194  KISSES. 

On  liis  left  arm  my  love-sick  head  I  piace, 
His  rii{lit  ciifultls  inc  with  a  \vi>rin  embrace. 
Soft,  1  adjure  you,  liy  the  nimble  fawns 
And  liind:>  that  bound  across  tlic  flow-'ry  lawns. 
Ye  sportive  damsels,  tliat  ye  softly  move, 
Nor  with  your  voices  wake  my  slee))inij  love. 
Approach,  fond  maids,  and  see  my  lovely  Idnjf 
Crown 'd  with  tlie  beauties  of  the  ijaudy  spiing. 
The  gjirlaiid  his  indulgent  mother  wove, 
Against  the  solemn  festival  of  love. 

SOLOMON, 

How  fair  art  thou,  my  queen!  thy  charms  how 

bright; 
For  pleasure  form'd,  and  finish'd  for  delight: 
Tall  as  the  palm  thy  mien;  thy  juicy  breast. 
Like  clustring  grapes,  inviting  to  be  pressd. 
Let  mc  the  straight,  the  stately  pole  ascend; 
Crasp'd  in  my  arms  the  blooming  boughs  shall 

bend ; 
Tlie  clusfring  vine  in  my  embrace  shall  bleed. 
And  on  the  fragrant  balmy  breath  I'll  feed. 

8  A  P  H  I  U  A. 

Tht  transports,  love,  with  what<leiight  I  hear; 
Such  fondness  ravishes  my  listening  ear. 
With  thee  I'll  range  the  distant  lonelv  fields, 
Whci-e  the  freiu  spring  eternal  pleasure  yieia«» 


KISSES.  195 

Where  the  lone  village,  f-ee  from  noisr  strife. 
Unheeded  drinks  the  real  swerts  of  life. 
There  let  us  lod^e,  and  witk  the  morning  sun 
Our  course  of  pleasing  toil  together  i-un ; 
Obser\x  the  vine  its  tender  bad  di;/  lose. 
How-  -.^•ith  young  bloom  the  new  pomegranata 

glows ; 
How  rip'nin^  fruits  in  embryo  appear, 
Tlie  grateful  prospect  of  a  pleirtcous  year. 
There,  on  some  bank  reclia'd,  whilst  over  bead 
Embow-ring  jasu.ines  their  sweet  odour?  shed. 
Clasping  and  elasp'd,  with  ever  tninin^  arms, 
Uncnvied,  I'll  enjoy  thy  manly  charms. 
Give  up  my  hidden  beauties  to  thy  sight. 
And  die  in  ecstasies  of  full  delight. 


LXI. 

COU  KTIE  a. 

Goddess  '.  I  do  love  a  girl 
Ruby-lip'd  and  tooth'd  with  pstsi* 
If  so  be  1  may  but  prove 
Lacl{y  in  this  maid  I  love, 
I  will  promise  there  shall  be 
Myrileu  offered  up  to  thee. 
u2 


Lxir. 

Bloom  of  licaiity,  early  flow'r 
Of  tho  \>\W>fi:\  l.ri.lal  b.>«'r; 
Tlioii,  lliy  |i»ri>iits'  priile  and  cait;* 
I'Vircsl  (itTs|jriiii;  of  t!io  f;iir; 
Lovely  pk-ilifc  nf  iiiudiiti  love, 
Aiii'el  sc-eiiiiiii;  from  a!>i)v-c-,— 
Was  it  not  tliou  day  l>y  day 
Vast  tliy  vi-ry  sex  betray, 
>'criiaU'  more  and  more  ajipcar, 
I'emalc,  more  ibaii  aii);el  dear; 
Ho«-  to  speak  tliy  face  and  mien, 
(Soon  too  daiiirerous  to  lie  seen,) 
How  sliall  I,  or  shall  the  muse, 
Lan^iiai;e  of  rcsemlilanec  clioose? 
Laii|t;iiagc  liUe  tliy  mien  and  face, 
Full  of  sweclncss,  full  of  ^race  ? 

Ey  tlic  next  returnini:  spring'. 
When  ni;ain  llie  linnets  sing, — 
When  atrain  the  iainhkins  play, 
Prc'ty  sporllin);s,  full  of  May; 
When  the  meadows  next  are  seeOj 
Sweet  enamel :   white  and  greCB, 
Ami  the  year,  in  fresh  attire. 
Welcomes  every  gay  desirej 


KISSES. 

Blooming:  on  >1ialt  tlioii  appear 
Blor-  Livitini;  llian  t!ie  year; 
FKirer  sii^lit  than  iii-«  li^ird  shows 
Which  beside  a  rivfi-  oious. 

Vet  another  spriiii;  I  see, 
Ami  a  hriijliler  hicom  in  thee; 
Anil  another  round  of  time, 
Cireliui;,  still  improves  lliy  prim'.  » 
And,  henealli  ilie  vernal  skies. 
Yet  n  verdure  more  sliall  rise. 
Ere  thy  beauties  Kindly  slow. 
In  caeh  linish'd  featnri:  flow; 
Ere,  in  smiles  ami  in  disdain. 
Thou  exert  thy  maiden  reign, 
Absolute  to  save  or  lull 
Fond  beholders  at  thy  will. 

Then  the  tapcr-nioulileil  waist. 
With  a  span  of  ribbon  l>rac"d. 
And  the  swell  of  either  breast. 
And  the  wide  hii;li-vaulteil  ehcst. 
And  the  nccU  so  white  and  round. 
Little  neeU  uitii  brilliants  bound. 
And  the  store  of  i  harms  which  sliiac 
Above  in  lineaments  divj. 
Crowded  in  a  narrow  spai 
To  coiuplelc  the  desp'rate  facej 


KISSES. 

These  alliirin?  pow'rs,  a-nd  more, 
SShall  oiiaii'.oiirM  youths  adore; 
These  and  more,  in  tourlly  lays, 
Maii^  an  acUing  heart  shall  piaise. 


O  Vents!  awful  sovVciifii  of  the  spring, 

Could  1  like  thy  Lucretius  sing, 
Here  would  I  pause  thy  wonders  to  relate  ; 

Here  would  I  pause  to  hymn  thy  prai'ie 
Ic  adamantine  words,  more  strong  tiiaii  late. 

And  everlasting  as  his  lays. 

O'er  seas  and  deserts,  npdismay'd, 
Strenglhen'd  by  thy  inspiring  breath. 

The  timorous  and  the  bashful  maid. 
Faces  both  infamy  and  death. 

Driv'u  by  the  incens'd  divinity, 

Confnundln!{  equity  and  truth. 
Order,  and  rank,  ami  consanguinity. 

And  loathsome  age,  and  blooming  youth. 


KISSPS 

Behold  the  frantic  passion,  liow  it  burns. 
Like  a  wild  lieast  lireaks  every  tie  ; 

Lau^lis  nt  the  priest,  the  IcijVsIator  spiirns  ; 
And  gives  botli  iicav'n  and  eartli  tlic  lie! 

Let  youth  an.l  insolence  alone. 

Provoke  tliy  vengeance  every  hour; 

I3ut,  oil !  spare  those  that  know,  that  own, 
>.dore,  and  tremble,  at  thy  pow'r. 

With  thy  propitious  doves  descend, 
And  hear  the  tender  viri?in"s  sighs, 

Tlie  humble  and  ttie  meek  defend, 
Aud  bid  the  prostrate  suppliant  rise. 


Gbo-w  to  niT  lip,  thou  sacred  kiss. 
On  whicb  my  soul's  beloved  swore 
Tlrat  there  should  come  a  time  of  bliss, 
When  she  would  mock  my  hopes  no  mete; 
And  fancy  shall  thy  iflow  renew. 
In  siifhs  at  morn,  and  dreams  at  night, 
And  none  shall  steal  thy  holy  dew 
Till  (hou'rt  absolvM  by  rapture's  rite. 


:oo  K  1  5  S  E  s . 

Sweet  h  lUM  tliat  arc  to  make  mc  bless'd 
Oh  :   lly,  like  hreo/.es,  to  the  jfoal, 
Ami  Ifl  my  love,  my  more  than  soul, 
Coiito  I  .iiitiii^-  to  this  fovcrM  hreast; 
AikI  wl.iie  ill  every  ulaiice  I  ilriiik 
The  rill   oVrllowiiiij.s  of  her  r.iir.il. 
Oh:  lev  i.er  all  iini.assioiiM  sink, 
III  sweet  abaiiiloiiiiK  lit  resign 'd, 
Blushiiiir  for  all  our  struifules  past, 
Anil  uiuriiiuriiii;,  "  )  am  thin>;  at  laiit," 


LXV. 

PETER     PITi-DAR. 

Whbx  we  dwell  Oil  the  lips  of  the  lass  we  adore. 
Not  a  pleasure  in  nature  is  inissimr: 

May   his  soul  be  in   heav'ii,   he  deserv'd  it,   I'm 
sure, 
Who  was  first  the  inventor  of  kissiiiR. 

Master  Adam,  I  veriiy  think,  was  the  man, 
\S'hose  ilisLOverv  Hill  lie  ei  he  surpass'd. 

Well,  since  tlie  sweet  if  line  with  creatiou  beg^ao. 
To  the  euil  of  the  wurl'i  may  it  lost. 


I.XV'I. 

Tiir.  (lays,  the  weeks,  tlic  moiitlis  of  biigs 
'I'liat  we,  iijy  love,  Imve  p.-issd  toj^cther, 

rii-  iMipressinii  of  your  lial.iiy  kiss 
At  KiilmioiKl,  ill  tlie  suiiiiiier  weather, 

bhall  loiiir  reiiKiiii  fix'il  in  my  mimi. 
To  pleuse  me  when  my  spirit's  low. 

For  they  still  leave  ;i  joy  behiiul. 
To  soften  ever}'  sting  of  woe. 

O!  I  reiiiciultcr  well  how  sMcet 
AU  nature  seemrt,  when  thro'  the  com 

You  tripp'd  on  those  bewitcliiufj  feet, 
licneatU  ihc  rosy  tints  of  mom. 

Bless'l  Ik;  those  firet,  so  swift  so  airy, 
iMethiiiks  :  see  them  ulide  aloii);. 

Light  as  the  motion  of  a  fairy. 
That  trips  it  to  the  zephyr's  sonij. 

BlessM  he  those  eyi-s,  whosi?  iMaiires'sv.eet 
Were  omens  of  lier  inviaril  worth, 

la  them  my  worluly  fato  1  meet, 
Mjr  bciit,  niy  UeariMt  hope  on  uaxth. 


<2  KISSES. 

So  modest  in  lier  look, — her  mien 
So  |)leiisiiigr,  airy,  Jight,  and  easy. 

That  one  iiiisjht  think  her  Fancy's  queen, 
A  spirit  only  forra'd  to  please  ye. 

O I  I  can  never  view  the  days 

We  spent  in  Richmond's  rosy  bowels, 
Where  memory  still  rteliifhted  strays. 

Amidst  the  morn  and  evening  hours. 

Without  possessing  all  those  dreams 
Which  led  my  wandering;  feet  astray. 

And  form-d  the  world  not  as  it  seems. 
Merely  to  steal  ray  peace  away. 


LXVII. 

T.    MOOBB. 

When  infant  bliss  in  roses  slept, 

Cupid  upon  his  slumber  crept. 

And  while  a  balmy  sijfii  he  stole 

Exhaling  from  the. infant's  soul, 

He  smiling  said,  "  Wiib  tliis,  with  fhis, 

I'll  bceut  uiy  Julia  s  bijruiuif  kisil" 


KT!;SES.  : 

Nay  more,  he  stole  to  Venus'  bed, 
Ere  yel  the  sanguine  flash  had  fled, 
Wiiich  lov'c"s  divinest,  dearest  (lame 
Had  kindled  thi-ou-jjh  her  pai!t;i;ij  frnme. 
Her  soul  still  dwelt  on  memory's  themes. 
Still  fioatcd  in  voluptuous  dreams. 
And  every  joy  she  felt  before 
I:;  slumber  now  w::s  acting:  o'er. 
From  her  ripe  lips,  which  scem'd  to  thrill 
As  ill  the  war  of  kisses  still. 
And  amorous  to  each  other  clung', 
he  stole  the  dew  that  tremblinfj  hun^. 
And  smiling  said,  "  With  this,  xi-ith  this, 
111  bathe  my  Julia's  burning  kiss  1" 


LXVIII. 

Winds  I  whisper  tfcntly  while  she  sleeps 
And  fan  her  With  your  cooling-  wings. 

While  she  her  drops  of  beauty  weeps 
From  pure  and  yet  unrivall'd  springs. 

Glide  over  beauty's  field,  her  face  ; 

To  kiss  her  lip  and  cheek  be  bold; 
But  with  a  calm  and  stealinif  pace. 

Neither  too  rude,  iior  yet  loo  coUL 


it4  KISSES. 

Plav  ill  her  beams,  and  crisp  lier  hair 
With  such  a  i;alc  as  wiiigs  soft  love  ; 

And  witii  so  sweet,  so  ricli  an  air, 
As  breathes  from  tlic  Arabian  grove. 

A  breath  as  litisli'd  as  lover's  slifli, 
Or  lliat  unfolds  the  morning's  door: 

Sweet  as  the  win<ls  tliat  jfcntly  lly 
To  sweep  the  spring's  ciiaiucU'd  floor. 


Lxrx. 

With  every  ijirl  of  \\  horn  I  sing. 

For  wliom  I've  toucli'd  tlie  silver  string. 

Or  niornintf,  noon,  or  nijilit; 
With  every  one  I've  1-iiss'd  and  toy'd. 
And  many  a  silent  hour  employ 'd 

In  banquets  of  deliyht. 

They  all  appcar'd  to  shun  the  bliss. 
But  when  tlicy  onre  had  felt  a  Uiss, 

They  !oni,'(l  and  sijih'd  for  others; 
Until  at  last,  so  freaUisli  grown. 
The  wicked  girls  began  to  own. 

They  IcaruM  it  of  their  mothers. 


KISSES. 

And  verily  tlic  gWU  are  riijlit, 
For  still  tlic  ai;e(l  dames  deiiffht 

To  sport  ill  liiose  excesses  ; 
Tlicn  can  we  HOiider  they  are  caiiglit 
Iiululi^iiiif,  wliere  tlicy  never  ought. 

Such  libertiue  caresses? 

Indeed,  my  friend,  I  Iiad  not  been 
So  learned,  if  I  lir.-;!  not  seen 

These  wicked,  wild  i-inbraces  ; 
But  in  tliosc  dark  and  nameless  courts. 
Where  Lais  sliines  thro'  all  the  sports, 

I've  rccoguiz'd  their  faces. 


LXX. 

HoMiD  seal  of  soft  afTcction, 
Tend 'rest  plcdije  of  future  bliss; 

Dearest  tie  of  youiijj  connexion. 
Love's  first  snow-drop,  Virgin-kiss. 

Spcakine  silence!  dumb  confession! 

Passion's  birth,  and  infant's  play; 
Dove-like  fondness,  chaste  concessica. 

Glowing  dawu  of  brighter  day. 


1  KISSES. 

Sorrowing  jor'.  adieu's  last  action. 

VVlien  liiii;'rii;>,'  lips  no  moro  must  join; 
What  \vor<ls  v.Htx  ever  speiik  ;;-fTettion 

t:o  tlirilliiig:,  so  sincere  as  thine. 

Thee  th'  fond  youth  untaught  and  simple^ 
Nor  on  the  naked  breast  can  hntl, 

Nor  within  the  cheek's  sniall  dimple,— 
Sole  otTspring  thou  of  lips  eonjoin'c. 

Then  haste  thee  to  thy  dewy  nip.ns'on  5 
Witli  Hebe  spend  thy  laughin]^  day; 
Dwell  in  her  rubied  lips'  expansion, 
•    Bask  iu  her  eyey  propitious  ray. 


LXXI. 

OuB  sf»t  with  eglantine  was  spread. 
And  as  we  niark'd  the  eve  decay. 

My  Laura  sniil'd,  and  softly  said, 
"  Why  pass  we  tlius  the  hours  away! 

I  wonder'd  much  what  Laura  meant, 
For  tliro'  licr  eyes  such  ma|^ic  Hew, 

As  if  she  were  not  quite  content. 
And  wanted  somstbintj  eUe  to  do. 


KISSES.  2 

I  press'd  her  l:ps— the  fair  one  seem'd 
As  if  she  fear'd,  yet  los'M,  the  biiss ; 

The  more  I  press'd,  the  more  she  dream'd 
Of  rapture  from  the  silent  kiss. 

1  quick  resolv'd,  the  mnr.H,  'tis  true. 
And  wsll  she  comprehended  me; 

And  as  the  evening  tints  uithdrew, 
I  ask'd  her  if  the  deed  might  be? 

Thus  after  many  an  effort  sweet. 

Beneath  the  summer's  sultry  weathei 

2  felt  l>cr  lips  (five  way — to  meet 
The  kiss  we  both  enjoy'd  together. 


Lxxn. 

T.     M  O  O  E  B  . 

Sweet  seducer!  blandly  smiling^. 
Charming  still,  and  still  beguiling; 
Oft  1  swore  to  love  tlice  never. 
Yet  I  love  thee  mOl*  ihau  ever. 


KISSES. 

Why  that  little  w.iiiton  blasliingr, 
Glrtiicinsj  eye,  iiiul  l)o>o.ii  flusliiiig? 
Flusliiiijf  « iirm,  and  « ily  gliiiiciii^. 
All  is  lovely,  all  eiiliHiiciii({. 

Turn  away  tliose  lips  of  blisses— 
1  am  poisoiid  by  lliy  kisses: 
Vet,  Ji^'iiiii,  ah:  turn  tliciii  to  mci 
Kuiii"s  sweet  when  ihcy  umlo  inc. 

Oh!  be  less,  be  less  eiichaiiliiiif ; 
Let  some  little  ({raec  be  wanting; 
Let  my  eyes,  when  Tni  expiring. 
Gaze  awhile,  without  adiuiriii);. 


LXXIII. 

Wkarted  w-ith  toyinc:,  Love  had  sunk  to  sleep 
Upon  a  bank  of  moss,  while  o'er  him  sprang. 
Spontaneous,  a  eanopy  of  llow"rs: 
Poppies  of  searlet  dye,  whose  noddiiiij  hcada 
Upon  his  eyelids  shed  their  dro>vsy  balm; 
And,  intcrtwind  with  these,  ll-.e  paler  rose. 
Whose  scented  blossoms,  bathd  rn  lucid  dew, 
Woo'd  the  soft  breeze  to  loiiei  as  it  pass'd. 


R  I  S  «  V  S .  209 

And  Ijorro'n-  fraeraiit  coolness.    Xear  liim  lay 
His  bcwauil  f|uivf;r,  fraiiijlit  -.vitli  fatal  shafts, 
Wiiig'cl  ill  hope,  but  .liiip'd  in  tears  of  woe. 
While  thus  he  slnj't,  his  lovely  Psyche  eamc. 
So  lightly  trcadiiijf,  that  hersiiowy  foot 
Rrush'd  not  the  ile«-drop  from  the  cowslip's  bell 
Awhile  she  stood  to  gaze,  her  hcav'nly  face 
Breathiiii;  ethereal  love;  then  hncelinij  down 
So  gently,  that  her  ainljer-scentcti  breath 
Stirr'd  not  the  ifo.ssanicr,  she  ciiUM  a  dart. 
And  on  its  point  iinpress'd  a  balmy  kiss 
Of  love  and  sweetness  reilolent;  tiicn  turn'd 
The  thrilling  weapon  on  her  sloepiiif;  spouse. 
And,  iiinocciitly-playfiil,  lightly  press'd 
Tlie  point  upon  his  liosoni :  at  the  touch 
The  (jod  awoke,  ami  felt  thro"  all  his  veins 
The  pleasing  poison  eoursuiK  ;  but  his  love 
When  he  beheld,  he  sank  upon  her  breast, 
Kis  filmy  pinions  sluvriiii;  with  delight. 


I.XXIV. 

I  wrsn  I  could  lik"  zephyr  steal 
To  wanton  in  thy  mazy  vest ; 

Or  Ihni'.  iiiiiiid'-.t  iipi.-  thy  bosom  veil. 
And  takp  rue  pantiii){  to  liiv  breui 


;0  KISSES. 

I  wish  I  might  a  rosehui  grow. 

That  thou  wouldst  cull  mc  from  theboi;\  er. 
And  place  mc  in  t&at  breaiit  of  siiow. 

Where  I  should  bloom  a  \vint"ry  tiuwer. 

I  wish  I  were  the  lily's  leaf 
To  faflc  upon  that  bosom  %varni ; 

There  I  should  wither,  pale  and  brief. 
The  trophy  of  thy  fairer  form. 


TVBEBVII.S, 
[Oo  making  his  mistress's  lip  b-eed.J 

Discharge  the  dole,  thou  subtle  seal. 

It  stands  in  little  steed 
To  rurse  the  kiss  that  causer  is 

Thy  cherry  lip  doth  bleed. 

ITiy  blood  ascends  to  make  amends 
For  damaije'tliou  hast  done  ; 

For  by  the  same  I  felt  a  flame 
More  scorching  than  tlie  suu. 


KISSES. 

Thou  reft'st  mj  heart  by  secret  art. 
My  spirits  were  quite  subtJu'd, 

My  senses  fled,  and  1  was  dead. 
Thy  lips  were  scarce  embru'd. 

The  kiss  was  thine,  the  hurt  was  mice, 

My  heart  felt  all  the  pain  ; 
Twas  it  that  bled,  and  look'd  sored, 

I  tell  thee  once  again! 

But  if  vou  long  to  wTeak  your  wroLg 

Upon  your  friendly  foe. 
Come  kiss  ai^ain,  and  pat  to  pain 

The  man  that  hart  you  so. 


LXXVI. 

POITTAXT7S. 

She  smil'd  consenting,  and  her  lips  impart 

To  my  parch "d  lips  one  dear  delicious  kiss, 
Wliose  breath  that  in'ttant  lo  my  fainting  heart 

Recall'd  my  spirit  from  the  dark  abyss; 
A  humid  kiss,  rich  with  ambrosial  dews, 
And  all  the  spicy  sweets  Arabia's  shrubs  diffuse. 


AITOBBIAKT78. 

A  flow'bt  bank  my  Celia  press'd. 
Where  babbling  waters  play'd. 

And  by  the  stream  in  gentle  rest 
Her  languid  limbs  were  laid ; 

It  chanc'd  a  bee,  on  busy  wins'. 
Whom  instinct  taught  to  stray. 

And  gather  honied  sweets  in  spring. 
Came  raurm'ring  by  that  way. 

Lur'd  by  the  fragrance  of  her  lip 
The  insect  hover'd  round. 

But  often,  as  it  stoop'd  to  sip. 
Fell  senseless  to  the  ground: 

Till  feeling  the  approach  of  death, 
Whp.t  new-born  flow'r  is  this? 

It  feebly  asU'd,  with  dying  breath. 
For  thus  to  die  is  bliss ! 

Then  sank,  and  died ;  and  little  Lev* 

A  turf  upon  it  plac'd. 
And  of  its  fate,  in  verse  above, 

A  ihort  memorial  trac'd ; 


KISSES.  i 

'  Here  lies  beneath  whom  Celia's  breath. 

Or  !ionic(i  lips  dcstroy'd; 
lut  none  can  tell  by  which  he  fell, 

hy  one,  or  both  he  died. 


BT  A  N  LE  T* 

When  en  thy  lips  my  soul  I  breathe. 

Which  there  meets  thine  ; 
Freed  from  their  fetters  by  that  death 

Our  subtle  forms  combine : 
Thus  without  bonds  of  sense  they  move. 
And  like  two  cherubim  converse  by  love. 

Spirits  to  chains  of  death  cou6nM 

Converse  by  sense; 
But  ours,  that  are  by  flames  refin'd. 

With  those  weak  ties  dispense: 
l,et  such  in  words  their  minds  display. 
We  i.i  A  kiss  our  mutual  thoughts  convef. 


\U  KISSES. 

But  since  my  soul  from  me  doth  fly, 

To  tuee  retir'd. 
Thou  canst  not  hoth  retain,  for  I 

Must  be  by  one  inspir'd  : 
Then,  dearest,  either  justly  mine 
Restore,  or  in  exchange  let  me  have  thine. 

Yet  if  thou  dost  return  mine  own. 

Oh'.  taUe't  again ! 
For  'tis  this  pleasing  death  alone 

Gives  ease  unto  my  pain; 
Kill  me  once  more,  or  I  shall  find 
Thy  pity  than  thy  cruelty  less  kind. 


H  A&UL  I.TJS. 

With  bended  bow,  young  Love  had   ta'en  big 

stand. 
When  sudden  awe  repress'd  his  daring  hand ; 
As  quick  Xea;ra  saw  the  5-onth's  surprise. 
And  on  him  turn'd  the  whole  artiirry  of  her  eyes  ■ 
Swift  as  the  winds  the  urchin  turn'd  away. 
And  fled  from  her  whom  be  bad  meant  his  prey. 


KISSES.  215 

Bat  his  Bright  quiver,  charg'd  with  many  a  wound, 
Loos'd  from  liis  back,  fell  rattling  to  the  ground  j 
The  fair  one  seiz  d  the  glitl'riii^  prize,  and  o'er 
Her  shoulders  flinging,  in  prou/l  triumph  bore. 
How,  while  Love  roams  disarm'd,  a  feeble  foe. 
On  gods,  and  men  alike  she  bends  his  bow. 


LXXX. 

WTAT. 

When  first  mine  eyes  did  view,  and  mark. 

Thy  fair  beauty  to  behold  ; 
And  when  my  ears  listen  U  to  hark. 

The  pleasant  words  that  thou  me  told; 
I  would  as  then  I  had  been  free 
From  ears  to  hear,  and  eyes  to  see. 

And  when  my  lips  'gan  first  to  move. 
Whereby  my  heart  to  tliee  was  known; 

And  when  my  tongue  did  talk  of  love. 
To  thee  that  hast  true  love  down  thrown j 

I  would  my  lips,  and  tongue  also. 

Had  then  been  dumb,  no  deal  to  go. 


16  KISSES. 

And  when  my  hands  have  handled  aught 
Tliat  thee  hatli  kept  in  memory  ; 

And  when  my  feet  have  gone  and  sought 
To  find  and  get  thee  company; 

I  would  each  hand  a  foot  had  been. 

And  I  each  foot  a  hand  had  seen. 

And  when  in  minij  I  did  consent 
To  follow  this  my  fancy's  will ; 

And  when  ray  heart  did  first  relent 
To  taste  such  bait  ray  life  to  spill; 

I  would  my  heart  had  been  as  thine, 

Ot  else  thy  heart  had  been  as  mine. 


LXXXI. 

DBVM  MO  N  D. 

Dkar  life,  when  I  do  touch 
Those  coral  ports  of  bliss. 
Which  still  lliemselves  do  kiss. 
And  sweetly  me  invite  to  do  as  much; 


KISSES.  217 

All  panting;  on  thy  lips 
My  heart  my  life  doth  leave. 
Nor  sense  ray  senses  kave. 
And  inward  powers  do  feeJ  a  strange  eclipse  I 
This  death-so  heavenly  well 
Doth  nre  so  please,  that  I 
Would  luevei  longer  seek  in  sense  to  dwell. 
If  that  e'er  thus  I  only  could  but  die. 


Lxxxn. 

VLAMINIVS. 

Hast  thou  seen,  after  a  summer  shower, 
How  the  lily's  leaves  are  sparkling  bright ; 

Or  the  tears  of  night  on  the  rose's  liowor. 
As  the;  shine  like  pearls  in  the  morning  Ught  f 

So  on  her  cheeks,  when  my  Rosa  weeps. 
Each  tear-drop  shines  like  a  glitt'ring  gem. 

While  Love  beneath  in  sly  ambush  peeps. 
And  scatters  his  shafts  at  me  through  theou 


Lxxxm. 

a  ANN  AZAB. 

Six  hundred  kisses  from  thy  lips  I  sue. 

Six  hundred  kisses,  Nina,  are  ray  due ; 

Not  such  as  sisters  to  their  brothers  give. 

Or  parents  from  their  duteous  child  receive; 

But  sucli  as  some  younj;  maid,  but  newly  wed. 

Gives  the  dear  partner  of  her  bridal  bed. 

Or  the  fond  lover  of  his  fair  one's  lips. 

All  lost  in  soft  delirious  transport,  sips. 

These — these  delig;ht  nie — these  are  doubly  dear. 

When  lips  to  lips  in  ecstasy  adhere  • 

Cold  is  tlie  kiss  that  senseless  beauty  gives, 

from  such  my  ardent  soul  no  joy  receives. 

Oh  I  rather  let  me,  when  thou  giv'st  the  bliss, 

Grow  to  tin-  lip  in  each  delicious  kiss, 

There  in  soft  accents  breathe  my  tender  joys. 

And  hear  thy  raptures  in  responsive  sighs  j 

IVIiugling  our  melting  tale  of  mutaal  love 

In  tones  as  soothing  as  the  am'rous  dove. 

Sweet  are  such  raptures,  sweeter  than  the  dewi 
That  chymist  bees  in  waxen  cells  diffuse ; 
Or  the  rich  nectar,  that  imperial  Jove 
Quaffs  in  bright  goblets  in  the  realms  above. 


KISSES.  219 

Yet,  when  these  joys  have  heighten'd  ev'rr  crracei 
Wouldst  thou  bat  clasp  me  in  tliy  fond  er.ibrnce, 
Kins;s  shouW  not  tempt  me  theuce,  nor  heapi 

untold 
Of  sparkling  jewels,  and  persuasive  gold; 
Not  Venus  self  should  lure  me  from  thjr  arms 
Witli  all  her  rosy  prevalence  of  charms; 
Nor  Hebe,  though  to  terapt  rne  from  my  truth. 
She  promise  years  of  never-fading  youth. 


LXXXIV. 


A  humid  kiss  with  nectar  rich  imbu'd. 
Ambrosial  sweet,  she  gave  in  playful  mood. 
Fragrant  as  dews  from  thyme,  or  cassia  drawn 
By  bees  that  labour  at  the  glimpse  of  dawn  ; 
Then  burst  away  in  waiitoiinjss,  and  flew 
To  deepening  shades,  and  hid  her  from  my  vieWj 
But  hid  in  vain  ;  the  power  of  Love  forbade. 
And  Icut  bis  torch,  and  her  retreat  betray'd. 

Again,  my  beauteous  fair,  thy  form  I  hold— 
Aerain  I  clafp-— atraiu  these  arms  enfold; 


m  KISSES. 

Again — But  why  with  such  disorder'd  charms. 
My  rose,  why  tremble  ia  my  circling  aruii .' 
Come,  let  thy  lips  the  toil  of  search  repay 
With  balmy  kisses  varied  ev'ry  way; 
Thrice  three  I  claim,  and  let  thy  every  kiss 
Teem  with  a  rich  diversity  of  bliss. 

Oh '.  dost  thou  feel,  as  mouth  with  mouth  unites. 
Our  souls  commingle  in  the  dear  delights. 
Each  rising  to  the  lips  forsake  the  heart. 
And  ho%-er  there,  and  join  its  better  part? 
Thus,  ever  thus,  tmite  thy  soul  with  mine. 
So  shall  no  day  our  future  souls  disjoin  ; 
And  when  this  transient  scene  of  life  is  o'er. 
United  fiy,  and  seek  the  Stygian  shore. 


LXXXV. 

BOKr  ADIUS. 

Ye  grots,  ye  groves,  were  witness  of  my  bfiss. 
When  from  her  lips  I  snstch'd  the  nectar'd  kiss! 
The  thrilling  joy  of  life,  and  sense  bereft. 
And  on  her  humid  lips  mv  soul  was  left. 


KISSES.  2S 

But  when  she  saw  roe  pale,  and  breathless  Inid, 
With  fond  encircling  arras  the  lovely  maid 
Wy  lanifuid  form  drew  closer  to  her  breast. 
And  on  my  lips  a  sweeter  kiss  impressed  ; 
And  scarce  had  I  inhaFd  the  balmy  dew 
When  to  my  heart  my  wand'ring  spirit  flew. 
To  me  DOW  dearer  is  the  vital  fiarae 
Since  from  her  lips,  her  ruby  lips,  it  came. 


LXXXVI. 

BUCHANAN. 

With  ev'ry  kiss  those  lips,  my  fair,  bestow 
Such  nectar'd  streams,  such  rich  ambrosia  flow. 
With  gods  I  seem  their  heav'nly  state  to  share. 
With  gods  I  banquet  on  celestial  fare; 
And  lost  in  pleasing  dreams  of  ecstasy. 
Seem  far  more  bless'd  than  e'en  a  god  can  be. 
But,  oh  I  whene'er  those  balmy  kisses  flow 
With  falsehood  mix'd,  and  treach'r)-  lurks  below. 
Then  instant  I,  who  shar'd  the  realms  of  blif. 
Plunge  headlong  down  to  hell's  profound  abjsf. 
In  darker  horrors  lost,  and  deeper  woe 
Than  those  that  suffer  in  that  world  below. 


LXXXVII. 

Dear  maid,  a  g^entle  kiss  impart 
Like  tliat,  in  innocence  of  heart. 
Which  some  youug  girl,  «-ith  fond  caresses 
On  her  fair  sister's  cheek  impresses. 
For  joys  like  that,  so  pure,  and  chaste. 
Must  ever  please,  and  ever  last. 
1  hate  the  kiss  of  wild  desire. 
All  glowing  M-itb  voluptuous  fire; 
Like  flames  that  too  intensely  plaj. 
The  pleasure  quickly  fades  a^vay. 


LXXXVIII. 

OB.    ARUSTSONO. 

....  SrcB  ills  attend 
Obscene  and  bought  embraces.    Wiser  tfaoa. 
Find  some  soft  nymph  whom  tender  sympathy 
Attracts  to  thee :  while  all  her  captives  else, 
Aw'd  by  majestic  beauty,  mourn  aloof 
Her  charms  to  thee,  by  nuptial  vows  and  choice 


KISSES.  223 

More  sure,  devoted.    Sacrifice  to  her 
The  precious  hours,  nor  grudge  with  such  a  mate 
The  summer's  day  to  toy,  or  w-iiiter's  night. 
Now  chtsp  with  dying  fondness  in  your  arms 
Her  yielded  waist:  now  on  her  swelling  breast 
Recline  your  cheek:  with  eager  kisses  press 
Her  balmy  lips,  and  drinking  from  her  eyes 
Besistless  love,  the  tender  flame  confess. 
Ineffable  but  by  the  murm'ring  voice 

Of  genuine  joy 

....  Yet  not  to  love  alone 
Tfield   languid  all  your  hours.      The  self-same 

cates. 
Still  offer'd,  soon  the  appetite  offend ; 
The  most  delicious  soonest.    Other  joys. 
Other  pursuits,  their  equal  share  demand 
Of  cultivation.    These,  with  kindly  change. 
Will  cheer  your  sweetly-varied  days;  from  these. 
With  quicker  sense  you  shall,  and  firmer  nerve. 
Return  to  love,  when  love  again  invites. 
Be  thos2  the  least  neglected  which  inform 
With  virtue,  sense,  and  elegance,  the  mind; 
Those  that  before  were  amiable  improve. 
And  lend  to  love  ne-.v  grace  and  dignity. 
Life  too  has  serious  cares,  which,  madly  scorn'd. 
The  means  of  pleasure  melt.    And  age  will  come. 
When  love,  alas  '.  the  flower  of  human  joys. 
Must  shrink  in  horrid  frost' 


LXXXIX. 

8EC0NDU9. 

Pleasure  has  bounds  ;  too  greedily  pnrsa'd. 

Enjoyment  ceases,  and  disgust  ensues: 
Thus,  at  first  glance,  some  recent  painting  view'd» 
Tlie  vernal  landscape  smiles  in  all  its  brightest 
hues; 
But  stand,  and  gaxe  awhile,  and  by  degrees 
The  eye  grows  tir'd,  the  colours  cease  to  p'easCi 
Its  beauties  vanish,  and  its  faults  arise, 
Yon  think  of  other  times,  and  criticise. 


This  book  is  DUE  on  the  last 
date  stamped  below 


a^J^  1  7  1941 
JUN  1 8  1959 


B     000  005  871     9 


